IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, conducted a field tour and strategic assessment Wednesday in the Tel Sultan area of Rafah, alongside Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, as Israel intensifies its military pressure in the Gaza Strip under Operation Might and Sword (Oz V’Herev).
Zamir was joined by Southern Command Commander Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, Gaza Division Commander Brig. Gen. Barak Hiram, 36th Division Commander Brig. Gen. Moran Omer, and other senior commanders. The delegation reviewed frontline deployment, defense preparations, and operational plans for the continued campaign.
Zamir: The Only Stopping Point—Hostage Release
Lt. Gen. Zamir stated that the operation would continue to escalate and deepen at the IDF’s chosen pace and that only the release of the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas would bring the maneuver to a pause.
“The only thing that can stop us is the release of our hostages,” Zamir said. “That would allow for a return of our forces to their original positions and the continuation of negotiations.”
He emphasized the importance of operational ambiguity, stating that the IDF would not disclose its plans publicly: “We will maintain fog of war. We won’t reveal our actions—the ground will speak.”
Zamir also commended the inter-agency coordination, thanking Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar and his team for their ongoing contributions since the start of the war. During the visit, a debrief on the Nova Festival massacre was presented, further reinforcing the importance of the IDF’s mission.
“The findings sharpen our sense of duty and responsibility,” Zamir said. “The IDF bows its head to the families, the hostages, and the murdered.”
Ronen Bar: Hamas Will Be Struck Everywhere
Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar emphasized that the campaign of targeted eliminations in Gaza, which began with a major offensive two weeks ago, will intensify. He also linked the operations in Gaza to the recent precision strike in Beirut, in which senior Hamas operatives were eliminated.
“There is a direct connection between the strikes in Gaza and the ones in the heart of Beirut,” Bar said. “Terror is eliminated through offense, and Hamas will face our reach wherever it operates against Israeli civilians.”
Bar reiterated that the goal of the maneuver is to deliver a clear message to Hamas: as long as hostages remain in captivity, the cost will continue to rise.
Conclusion: Israel’s Mission Will Not Stop Until Every Hostage Is Home
With leadership from the IDF and Shin Bet aligned and determined, Israel’s message to Hamas is resolute: Operation Might and Sword will not stop until all objectives are achieved, most critically the return of the remaining 59 hostages still held by Hamas.
The war continues—and so does Israel’s unwavering commitment to its people.
