IDF Chief Halevi says ‘release of hostages will only come from stronger pressure’

IDF Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi visited Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Wednesday to conduct a situational assessment with top commanders of units operating there. 

During the visit, he spoke with the commanders and soldiers of the Commando Brigade regarding the operational situation, praised them for their operations in the Gaza Strip, and affirmed that releasing the hostages remains a top priority for the IDF. 

Halevi sat down with the head of Southern Command, Maj.-Gen. Yaron Finkelman, commander of the 98th Division, Brig.-Gen. Dan Goldfus, and head of the Commando Brigade, Col. Omer Cohen, among others. 

“We are pressing both to deepen the achievement and we are pressing to try to initiate movement in the negotiations, to bring about an agreement for the release of the hostages,” Halevi told the commanders. 

Halevi also said the IDF still believes that military pressure on Hamas is the best way to secure a hostage deal. 

“This is a top priority, very important. It will only come from stronger pressure and we will press harder, as much as necessary. We will press harder - you are doing it excellently.” 

He called on the commanders and soldiers to continue their resolve. 

“Another battalion dismantled, another commander killed, another infrastructure destroyed, this is the way to eventually pressure for the release of the hostages. One thing is certain: As long as you work as you do, our ability, as well as the national ability to resolve these issues in a better way, is significantly higher. Continue with strength, continue to achieve good results: finishing operations, quality combat procedures, and continue moving forward,” Halevi told them.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to speak with U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday about differences between Israeli and U.S. plans for future operations in the Gaza Strip, as well as the accidental killing of the WCK humanitarian aid workers. 

Israel has consistently declared its intention to move into the southern town of Rafah, near the Egyptian border, to dismantle the final Hamas battalions. 

Last week, the Israeli government shared its plan for evacuating Gazan civilians located in Rafah, which was not well received by the Biden administration. 

Meanwhile, the IDF on Thursday announced the elimination of another terror squad in central Gaza that was identified in a building near Israeli forces. After identifying the terrorists, the squad was eliminated by in an IAF airstrike. 

On Wednesday, a number of launches from the Gaza Strip into the surrounding Israeli communities were identified. The launchers and other terrorist infrastructure in Gaza were destroyed in response.