During Gaza visit, Zamir says IDF determined to disarm Hamas

“Our determination to disarm Hamas is absolute,” Zamir said. “We will not allow Hamas to rebuild or threaten us again.”

By World Israel News Staff

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir conducted a field tour Wednesday in southern Gaza, reinforcing the military’s focus on sustained readiness and preventing Hamas from reconstituting its military capabilities.

Zamir was accompanied by Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, Gaza Division commander Brig. Gen. Barak Hiram, the commanders of the Golani Brigade, the 188th Armored Brigade, the Southern Brigade, and additional senior officers.

During the visit, Zamir met with IDF troops operating in the sector and praised their ongoing offensive activity, stressing the need for continued vigilance, operational pressure, and preparedness to counter any emerging threat to Israeli civilians.

Reflecting on the past year, Zamir said the IDF had achieved ‘unprecedented accomplishments,’ including a severe blow to Hamas and the removal of the threat Israel faced on October 7.

“We have eliminated the threat as we experienced it on October 7 and returned all living hostages to their homes,” Zamir said, adding that efforts are ongoing to bring home the final fallen hostage, Staff Sgt. Ran Gvili, for burial in Israel.

Looking ahead, Zamir said 2026 will be decisive in shaping Israel’s security reality and made clear that the IDF will not allow Hamas to rearm or regain strength.

“Our determination to disarm Hamas is absolute,” he said. “We will not allow the Hamas terrorist organization to rebuild its power or threaten us again.”

Zamir also pointed to the “yellow line” as a newly established security boundary in Gaza, describing it as both an enhanced defensive line and a forward base for rapid offensive action.

“This is a new security border,” he said. “It is a fortified line of contact and a base for swift offensive action. We will act and exploit opportunities to weaken Hamas, and forces must remain alert and prepared for sudden developments.”

The chief of staff said the IDF has in recent months intensified work on a new multi-year force-build plan and a comprehensive revision of its military doctrine.

“We will not return to the reality that existed before October 7,” Zamir said.

Zamir’s remarks came against the backdrop of renewed diplomatic pressure following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday at Mar-a-Lago.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump said Hamas must comply with the Gaza framework requiring the terror group to disarm, warning that it would face severe consequences if it failed to do so.

While stressing that his administration does not seek an escalation that could endanger the fragile ceasefire, Trump said Hamas would have “hell to pay” if it does not disarm within what he described as a very short time.

On Tuesday, Israel Hayom reported that Israel and the United States have agreed to give Hamas approximately 60 days to demilitarize or face forced disarmament, a deadline the outlet said was discussed during the closed-door talks between Trump and Netanyahu.

Netanyahu echoed that position in a Fox News interview Tuesday with Bret Baier, saying no viable governing authority could emerge in Gaza as long as Hamas remains armed.

“No one is going to come in there if Hamas stays armed,” Netanyahu said. “They’ll put a bullet in the back of the head of anyone in a potential new government.”

He added that disarming Hamas is the critical condition for any future arrangement in Gaza.

“If we disarm Hamas — whether with an international force or by other means — then yes, I see a different future in Gaza,” Netanyahu said.