Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir conducted a field tour and held a situational assessment today (Sunday) in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip—at the heart of the fighting against Hamas.
“From here the murderers came – we must never forget”
In his remarks, the Chief of Staff emphasized the importance of the war effort: “From nearby Khirbat Ikhza’a, they stormed Nir Oz, committed atrocities, murdered and kidnapped babies, children, women, and the elderly. We must never forget what happened here. To protect ourselves—we are striking with force.”
Zamir noted that Hamas is currently under heavy pressure and has lost most of its assets and senior leadership. “We will use every tool at our disposal to bring the hostages home, to defeat Hamas, and to dismantle its regime. This is not an endless war—we are working to shorten it while achieving its objectives, and we will do so with determination, thoroughness, and while safeguarding the safety of our troops.”
Full support
During the tour, the Chief of Staff spoke with soldiers and thanked them for their significant contribution to the success of Operation Gideon’s Chariots. He stressed that the next mission—defeating the Khan Younis Brigade—is a direct continuation of the defeat of the Rafah Brigade. “You are doing extraordinary and critically important work here,” he told them. “You have my full support.”
Accompanying him on the tour were Southern Command head Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, 36th Division Commander Brig. Gen. Moran Omer, and commanders of the Golani, 188th, Kfir, and 282nd Brigades, as well as other battalion commanders.
The IDF continues fighting in the Strip
As operations intensify across the Gaza Strip, the Paratroopers Brigade joined the 98th Division in central Khan Younis over the weekend, completing the deployment of all regular infantry brigades in the Strip. In the armored corps, the 401st and 7th Brigades are operating under the 252nd and 143rd Divisions, conducting clearing operations in combat zones in both the north and south. The Golani Brigade is engaged in fighting in the Jenina neighborhood of Rafah. The Nahal Brigade has been redeployed from the West Bank to Gaza as part of the 162nd Division’s preparations to expand operations.
Chief Zamir with the soldiers:
