On Sunday, the eve of Shavuot, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir conducted a situational assessment in southern Gaza, within the combat zone itself. Joining him were Southern Command Chief Yaron Finkelman, Air Force Commander Tomer Bar, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) Ghassan Alian, Gaza Division Commander Barak Hiram, and other senior officers.
Following the assessment, the chief of staff praised the troops for their performance and instructed an expansion of the ground maneuver into additional areas in both the southern and northern parts of the Gaza Strip. “Until conditions are created for the return of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas,” the IDF said. He also ordered the establishment of additional distribution and dispersal centers in the field.
IDF Chief of Staff in Southern Gaza, Watch:
“Hamas Is Losing Control”
During the visit, the chief of staff said: “We are in the midst of a powerful and uncompromising campaign – thanks to you, Hamas is losing control.” Zamir referred to recent targeted operations, stating: “We eliminated the mass-murderer Muhammad Sinwar, and to the rest of the October 7 terrorists we send a clear message – your day will come.”
Regarding the continuation of the maneuver, he noted: “The IDF continues to secure and clear extensive areas of enemy presence and terror infrastructure.”
Zamir also addressed the efforts to return the hostages: “The effort continues on all fronts, in a deliberate and coordinated manner, and at an appropriate pace – until all the objectives of the campaign are achieved: the return of all our hostages and the dismantling of Hamas’s governing and military capabilities.”
The Mission Is Defense, the Method Is Offense
“We strike in order to defend the citizens of the State of Israel – the mission is defense, the method is offense.”
Earlier today, the ground maneuver in Gaza was expanded, alongside precise air force strikes against terror infrastructure. Ground forces under Southern Command are operating throughout the Strip, guided by the Intelligence Directorate and ISA (Shin Bet). The forces expanded areas under control, eliminated terrorists in multiple arenas, and destroyed significant terror infrastructure – both above and below ground.
In parallel, the Israeli Air Force struck dozens of terror targets – including terrorist cells, tunnel routes, weapons depots, and Hamas military compounds. The strikes were carried out with precision and provided direct support to forces operating on the ground.
