Chief of Staff: Ready for action in Rafah, we will fight with determination, we will kill more senior officials

March 17, 2024   

Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said today (Sunday), in a statement he issued on the 163rd day of the war, that the IDF is ready to face any challenge that may be required - including deepening military activity in Rafah. Here are his full words: "We are fighting a just, multi-scene and complex war, with many achievements, and are expanding. We still have a long way to go until we achieve the goals of the war. IDF forces are fighting in all arenas - in Gaza, in the center and in the north, in arenas near and far - without stopping. "This week the month of Ramadan began, and we are more alert, stronger and prepared - everywhere, all the time, without stopping. Every development in one arena - affects the other arenas of the war. We are working first and foremost to maintain security, thwart and prevent terrorist attacks, alongside the desire to make Ramadan possible." Halevi spoke about the fighting in Gaza: "In the Gaza Strip, we are surprising the enemy, taking the initiative and further deepening our achievements. In the north of the Strip - we are repeating and raiding areas where we operated, with new intelligence, using different methods - expanding the damage to Hamas, killing operatives and destroying infrastructure in a targeted and high-quality manner. "In the south of the Strip, in Khan Yunis, we are concentrating an effort of high-quality forces to dismantle the Khan Yunis Brigade. We have killed many terrorists and have captured many senior terrorists for interrogation. Those who remain alive, are hiding, and are having difficulty functioning - we will reach them as well. "In a complex and precise attack on the Nochirat camp, last week we attacked senior Hamas commanders, whose fate Hamas is trying very hard to hide. We launched this operation after long days of complex planning, creating the operational conditions, and collecting sufficient intelligence. This is a very important achievement for the IDF. A capability we have built over the years together with the Shin Bet, a combination of high-quality intelligence and precise fire from the Air Force, which allows for the elimination of senior figures underground. "This attack is an expression of the IDF's ability to reach the most complex places - at the right time, and with high precision. We will continue the effort to eliminate the senior figures, this is a central goal in the war. "Along with conducting the fighting, we continue to plan the continuation of the attack in areas where we have not yet operated. The IDF is preparing for attacks in the additional areas and together with the political echelon we will decide on the timing and the appropriate conditions. "As soon as a decision is made - the IDF will operate with full force and determination. We are determined to operate wherever Hamas builds its strength; it is not right to leave Hamas brigades and Hamas battalions functioning." He said, "Hamas can lay down its arms and surrender, otherwise, we will continue with great force, until the complete dismantling of Hamas, until the hostages are returned to their homes. Returning the hostages is one of the goals of the war, and the IDF will do everything to achieve it." He emphasized: "The details of the negotiations should be left to discussion in the appropriate rooms, we are working resolutely in every way to bring about the release of the hostages. One thing is certain - the IDF will implement any decision that is made, and will know how to continue fighting at every stage. Hamas chose to escalate during Ramadan, and this will lead to increasing pressure." Halevi also referred to the other arenas where the army operates: "On the northern border, we continue to target Hezbollah operatives and their capabilities. Hezbollah began with force, and it is paying a heavy, growing price. I am aware and attentive to the great difficulty of the residents of the north, who have been evacuated from their homes for a very long time. We will only return the residents with full security. To that end, we will go through any means necessary - the IDF and its commanders are determined, ready for this, this is our duty. "In Judea and Samaria, we fight, protect and thwart terror around the clock together with the Shin Bet and the Israel Police - for the sake of security in the communities, on the roads and along the seam line." He also referred to the comments received by Brigadier General Barak Hiram and Brigadier General Dan Goldfuss during the war. "I want to say a few words about the IDF. IDF commanders, both young and senior, command a difficult and complex war, in several theaters simultaneously, for over five months, bringing ever-increasing achievements. In war, it is very important to allow commanders on the battlefield the freedom required to carry out their missions – I trust them and appreciate them greatly. In the same breath, I state the obvious – it is impossible to fight when discipline and rules are unclear and not strictly followed. "The balance between them is the key to success. A commander cannot disobey an order without approval, if there is no operational, clear and urgent need or reason for this. Commanders who deviated from the rules – will be investigated and dealt with as soon as possible. This is our duty. We have very high-quality commanders who fight bravely, in places where they made mistakes or deviated from orders, there was learning, there was also disciplinary and command treatment during the fighting. This is how it should be, this is how it will be. We – the IDF and its commanders – must now focus only on one thing – achieving the goals of the war. Our achievements on the battlefield are the result of the unity of our ranks, along with the ability to act together subject to the IDF values ​​and IDF orders." The Chief of Staff also responded to the criticism leveled at the IDF's appointment round during the fighting and the accusations leveled at the General Staff: "I would like to clarify - as we said from day one, we failed on October 7. We did not take responsibility - the responsibility is ours. For what happened and what will happen from now on. At the same time, it is important to say - we quickly came to our senses, launched a strong attack, and we are leading the army in this complex war, around the clock, for over five months, with great strength to continue moving forward. "We are imbued with a goal to bring the security that the citizens of Israel deserve. The kidnapped and their families are before our eyes all the time, as are the residents in the south and north who have not yet returned to their homes. This is a mission that will continue for a long time, and I, as the commander of the army, am responsible for it. I am very confident in our ability to meet this mission together.".