Jerusalem, 20 May, 2025 (TPS-IL) — IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir on Tuesday conducted a situation assessment and field tour in the Gaza Strip, where he placed the blame for the renewed fighting there squarely on the shoulders of Hamas.
“Hamas will pay the price for its refusal [to release the hostages],” he said. “It will encounter firepower, we will expand the maneuver, occupy additional areas, cleanse and destroy the terror infrastructure until it is defeated. We are defending ourselves and for that we must attack.”
“Hamas has one option and that is to release our hostages,” added Zamir. “If there is an agreement – the IDF will know how to adjust its activities accordingly.”