Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said on Tuesday that the military would refocus its efforts on battling Hamas in Gaza, following the cessation of hostilities in the conflict with Iran.
Despite what he called a “phenomenal achievement” in the campaign against Iran, Zamir warned that “many challenges lie ahead” as he addressed the IDF’s General Staff, which includes about 30 of the military’s top commanders.
“Now, the focus returns to Gaza—to bring the hostages home and collapse Hamas’s rule,” he declared.
“We have concluded a significant chapter, but the campaign against Iran is not over. We are entering a new phase, one that builds upon the achievements of the current campaign,” Zamir said.
The campaign “pushed back Iran’s nuclear project by several years—and the same goes for its missile program,” he continued. “The IDF operated at its best. I am proud to lead the IDF at this time.”
Israeli politicians from across the political spectrum said on Tuesday that the U.S.-brokered truce between Jerusalem and Tehran represented a strategic success—one that now necessitates heightened military action in the Strip.
“Now full force into Gaza, finish the job: Destroy Hamas and retrieve our hostages and ensure, God willing, many years of security and growth from a position of force for the people of Israel,” said Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism Party.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid Party) also referenced the coastal enclave in reacting to the ceasefire, stating: “And now Gaza. It’s time to finish things there too. Return the hostages, end the war.”
At the same time, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani announced that Doha was working to facilitate the resumption of talks between Israel and Hamas in the near future.
Speaking at the NATO summit in The Netherlands on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said his Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, was making “great progress” on the negotiations with the terror group.
“I think because of this attack that we made [on Iran’s nuclear program], I think we’re going to have some very good news,” Trump told reporters.
According to Israeli authorities, 50 hostages are currently being held by terror groups in Gaza. Most of these individuals were taken during the Hamas-led massacre on Oct. 7, 2023. Of the hostages, at least 20 are believed to be alive.
The IDF announced on Wednesday that its reserve 252 Sinai Division had completed its mission in the northern Gaza Strip “after four and a half months of combat” and would be replaced by the 99th Division.
Over the past months, the 252nd division’s troops “eliminated dozens of terrorists, destroyed over six kilometers of underground routes, as well as dozens of tunnel shafts and military infrastructure belonging to terrorist organizations that posed a threat to our forces,” it stated.