What it is about:

Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), made a significant visit to Jabaliya in the heart of Gaza, alongside the head of Southern Command and the commander of the 98th Brigade. The visit included a thorough security assessment and meetings with commanders who recently participated in operations aimed at recovering the bodies of hostages.

Why it matters:

This visitation underscores the IDF’s unwavering commitment to rescuing hostages and dismantling terrorist infrastructures in Gaza. Herzi Halevi’s commitment to dangerous and complicated missions highlights Israel’s dedication to bringing its people home, both alive and deceased, for burial.

What they are saying:

“We are in a war that we said from the beginning would be a prolonged one. They have entrenched themselves here for years in defense, and it won’t be dismantled in a week or even a month,” Halevi stated. He reaffirmed the mission, as described by the Commanding Officer of the Southern Command, to kill as many terrorist commanders as possible and destroy enemy infrastructure.

“This pressure will help us to bring back hostages alive, and we are ready to undertake dangerous and complicated operations to bring the bodies of our hostages back for burial in Israel,” Halevi emphasized. He also spoke highly of their continued efforts: “We are dismantling the military wing of Hamas. We want to bring our hostages home alive, and we want to bring those who, unfortunately, are no longer alive back for burial in Israel.”

The bottom line:

Herzi Halevi’s visit to Gaza symbolizes the IDF’s resolve and strategic commitment to combating terrorism and ensuring the safe return of its citizens. This is another reminder of Israel’s overarching goal to protect its population and uphold its national security, no matter how challenging the missions may be.

This story was first published on ynetnews.com.