IDF chief in Gaza: We've changed the security reality

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir stated on Wednesday that the Israeli military had "significantly weakened" Hamas and "fundamentally changed the security reality" In the Gaza Strip, vowing that Israeli forces would continue operating to prevent another Oct. 7-style attack.

Zamir conducted an operational assessment in Gaza with Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, 99th Division commander Brig. Gen. Elad Tzuri, Gaza Division commander Brig. Gen. Liron Batito and other officers. Battalion commanders briefed him on current operations before he met with division and brigade commanders in the field.

"The IDF is positioned at the front, ahead of the communities and their residents, in order to protect them," Zamir said. "We will not allow a threat to emerge on our borders like the one we experienced during the Oct. 7 massacre."

He emphasized the ongoing pursuit of Nukhba terrorists involved in planning and executing the 2023 attack. "The images from the communities, the Bibas family, the surveillance soldiers, and all the victims of the Oct. 7 massacre are before our eyes every day," He said. "We will not relent until we bring every person who played a part in it to justice - sooner or later. This is a permanent and ongoing mission."

Zamir characterized Gaza as part of a broader effort, noting he had visited troops in Southern Lebanon the previous week and observed "the same spirit - a spirit of initiative, determination and commitment to the mission."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu restated that Israel will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is completely disarmed. "I am standing firm on our security interests - we will not withdraw from our current lines until Hamas is completely disarmed," Netanyahu said in a Hebrew-language video.

He stated that IDF soldiers had been instructed "to do everything necessary to defend themselves, to defend our territory, to defend our citizens." Netanyahu indicated that the Trump administration believes it can persuade Hamas to demilitarize Gaza and that Israel is examining the proposal. He noted that Israel had rejected a draft agreement presented by the Trump team and had submitted its own comments to the White House.

"We are standing firm on our interests," Netanyahu concluded.

In a podcast interview, Netanyahu expressed doubt that Hamas would disarm as required by a 15-point peace roadmap. "I don't think Hamas is going to turn into a kitten - this predator," He said. When asked if Israel had missed the chance to eradicate Hamas, he replied, "It's not missed - it's not completed. There's still work to do... Hamas must be disarmed and Gaza demilitarized, and only then [Gaza] can start reconstruction."