IDF Launches Bold New Gaza Offensive – What It Means for Hostages
The Israeli military has pushed deeper into Gaza City in a fresh wave of operations against Hamas. In a video statement, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir made it clear that bringing back the hostages is not just strategy, it’s a national duty and a moral responsibility.
According to Zamir, the latest stage of the campaign was launched after high-level talks with political leaders. “We are operating in the heart of Gaza with ground forces, precision strikes, and solid intelligence,” he said. “Every move we take is calculated to weaken Hamas until it collapses.”
He stressed that Israel’s forces have already dismantled much of Hamas’s fighting capability but are pressing further to secure long-term gains and edge closer to ending the war.
At the same time, Zamir addressed concerns from families of the captives: “The release of our hostages is at the forefront of every mission. This is not negotiable, it’s both a war aim and a moral commitment.”
Interestingly, reports suggested Zamir initially voiced reservations about fully capturing Gaza City, but the decision was ultimately made at the political level. Still, he stood firm on his role: “The IDF is the people’s army. My responsibility is to put every risk and possibility on the table before operations begin. From there, I lead alongside capable commanders to carry out the mission with professionalism and responsibility.”
On accusations of civilian harm, Zamir defended the military’s conduct. “We are committed to international law and are doing everything possible to prevent harm to innocents,” he said. “This fight is against a terror organization that openly declares its intent to erase Israel’s existence. That is the threat we are confronting.”
