The Chief of Staff's remarks suggested that the IDF aims to exhaust terrorists evading capture by its forces. Division commanders, in discussions with Netanyahu, conveyed a message contrary to a New York Times report: "We are prepared to continue as long as necessary."
In Rafah, the IDF destroyed the last major rocket factory in Gaza. Amid 'Operation Trees' in Rafah, the IDF maintains continuous operations, including in areas previously engaged. Some critique the need for revisiting these areas, but Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi indicated yesterday in remarks in the Gaza Envelope that this is a key objective of the strategy.
"This pursuit is crucial. They must feel worn down," Halevi remarked. It appears the IDF is conducting a form of "war of attrition" against Hamas terrorists, aiming to return to their hiding places and sustain pressure until some relent.
Just yesterday, the IDF urged residents of Khan Yunis to evacuate for the second time since the conflict began. This morning, images emerged from Gaza showing numerous residents leaving homes towards humanitarian zones. Each return to previous operational areas by the IDF is due to identifying attempts by terrorists to reorganize.
Additionally, the IDF continues operations against terrorist infrastructures, occasionally revisiting previously cleared zones. The evacuation sparked anger in Gaza, with many sharing photos of displaced residents under the headline: "Residents forced from homes due to occupation threats."
