IDF poised to enter Gaza City, says army chief

Israel will continue war in Gaza until Hamas defeated, says IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, adding that Gaza campaign is part of broader effort targeting Iran.

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli forces are poised to enter Gaza City, the head of the IDF announced Sunday, following a decision by the security cabinet last week to seize control of the Gaza Strip’s largest urban center.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir visited Israeli forces deployed to the Gaza Strip, meeting with senior commanders, including the head of the IDF’s Southern Command, Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor; the head of the Operations Directorate, Maj.-Gen. Itzik Cohen; and the commander of the 36th Division, Brig. Gen. Moran Omer.

During his field tour, Zamir announced that the IDF had formally approved plans greenlighted last Sunday by the security cabinet to take control of Gaza City.

“Today, we are approving the plan for the next stage of the war,” Zamir said.

Pushing back on criticism from opposition lawmakers and left-wing protesters who launched a daylong national strike and road-blocking demonstrations, Zamir said the Israeli military would continue operations in Gaza until Hamas “is defeated.”

“As in the recent operations in Iran, Yemen, Lebanon, Judea and Samaria, and Gaza, we will continue to change the security reality,” he said. “We will maintain the momentum of Operation Gideon’s Chariots while focusing on Gaza City. We will continue to strike until Hamas is defeated, with a focus on the hostages’ [return].”

“Soon we will move to the next stage of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, within which we will continue to deepen the blows against Hamas in Gaza City until its defeat,” he continued. “Operation Gideon’s Chariots has achieved its objectives; Hamas no longer possesses the same capabilities it had before the operation — we have struck it severely.”

Zamir added that the Gaza campaign is part of a broader, long-term strategy targeting Iran.

“The current campaign is not a localized effort; it is another layer in a long-term, planned strategy, with a multi-arena outlook aimed at striking all components of the axis, first and foremost Iran,” he said.