IDF Chief Vows Continued Pursuit of October 7 Attackers After Weakening Hamas in Gaza

During a visit to the Southern Command and the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir stated that the Israeli military has significantly weakened Hamas and will not allow a threat like the one on October 7 to reemerge. Zamir emphasized that the IDF will continue to relentlessly pursue those responsible for the massacre, promising accountability "sooner or later."

Zamir toured the Gaza front alongside Southern Command Chief Major General Yaniv Asor, 99th Division Commander Brigadier General Elad Tzuri, Gaza Division Commander Brigadier General Liron Batito, and other senior officers. During the visit, battalion commanders briefed him on the operational situation, followed by discussions with division and brigade commanders active in the area.

Expressing appreciation for the troops defending Israeli civilians, Zamir said, "We are implementing the security concept we defined, not only here but along all of Israel’s borders. The IDF is at the forefront, ahead of the communities and residents, to protect them." He noted that the Gaza front is part of a multi-theater campaign, referencing his recent visit to forces in southern Lebanon, highlighting a shared spirit of initiative, aggressiveness, and commitment.

Zamir praised the Southern Command and its divisions for their ongoing offensive operations, including the pursuit of militants involved in the October 7 massacre and the Nukhba unit terrorists. He stressed that the images of the victims remain vivid and that the IDF will not relent until full accountability is achieved. The chief of staff reaffirmed the IDF’s mission to strengthen security for residents near Gaza and maintain a significant change in the security landscape to prevent future attacks like those on October 7.