IDF Chief Visits Gaza, Vows to Prevent Enemy Strengthening and Maintain Pressure on Hamas

On August 25, 2026, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir conducted a frontline visit in the Gaza Strip alongside Southern Command Chief Major General Yaniv Asor and Gaza Division Commander Brigadier General Liron Batito. During the tour, Zamir emphasized that the Israel Defense Forces remain fully prepared and vigilant across all operational theaters, acknowledging that the conflict is ongoing. He highlighted that the pursuit of those responsible for the October 7, 2023 attacks continues relentlessly, stating that all perpetrators will be hunted until eliminated.

Zamir reaffirmed Israel's strategic objective in Gaza: the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of the Strip by any necessary means. He stressed that the IDF will not allow Hamas to regain strength and that systematic operations against Hamas and its leadership will persist. The visit occurred amid renewed incendiary kite attacks from Gaza and ongoing political pressures for Israeli withdrawal from the area.

In parallel, the Israeli Security Cabinet conveyed to N12 that all terrorist activities from Gaza, including kite launches, must cease. They underscored that Israel expects adherence to ceasefire terms and that military responses will be limited to immediate and tangible threats. Zamir also noted that the IDF is marking nearly three years since the October 7 attacks, during which Israel has faced a complex, multi-front conflict involving Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and other arenas.

The IDF Chief praised the soldiers and commanders defending Israeli civilians and reiterated the long-term commitment of the military and its leadership to this ongoing campaign.