‘IDF doesn't tire,’ continues to deal severe blows to Hamas

‘IDF doesn't tire,’ continues to deal severe blows to Hamas to return the hostages, IDF chief Halevi says in Jabaliya

All Israel News Staff

As Israeli troops continue to fight Hamas forces holed up in northern Gaza’s Jabaliya and nearby Beit Lahiya, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi stressed the soldiers’ operations were ensuring the safety of Israel’s civilians and aimed at returning the hostages home.

“With the strength you are displaying here, we are ensuring the safety of our civilians and will bring back the hostages,” Halevi told soldiers while visiting the frontlines in Jabaliya over the weekend.

“We are sending Hamas a very clear message: the IDF does not tire. The more we fight, the stronger we become, gaining more experience, capabilities, professionalism, values, and determination. We are progressing with great intensity. The fact that you are concluding three weeks here with approximately 1,000 terrorists killed and 1,000 terrorists captured is a significant achievement that deals Hamas a severe blow,” Halevi said in a video published by the IDF.

Around a month ago, Israeli forces carried out a surprise, lightning-quick operation to surround and cut off Jabaliya from the rest of the enclave, and has since besieged the area, aiming to systematically eliminate terrorists while encouraging civilians to leave to the humanitarian zone in the south.

“We are providing the residents near the northern Gaza border with greater security and creating conditions for this security to endure, to not to be fleeting. Reaching an agreement is complex, but with the strength you are displaying here and the powerful way in which the IDF is fighting on seven fronts, in seven arenas, Israel is telling the entire Middle East — there is immense strength here, and incredible capability,” Halevi said.

“From this position of power, we are supporting our civilians and soldiers who are held hostage and are prepared to fight with tremendous determination, as well as pay a price to bring them home. We are not stopping or slowing down; this is to bring back the hostages, to ensure security for the surrounding communities,” the IDF chief concluded.

On Thursday, the IDF said that around 50 more terrorists were killed in Jabaliya in the past 24 hours. In addition, the Kfir Brigade started raiding nearby Beit Lahiya, after intelligence information indicated terrorists and terror infrastructure in the area.

Other IDF operations continued in the center of the strip along the Netzarim corridor, as well as in southern Rafah.