IDF Chief Visits Gaza, Vows No Return to Pre-October 7 Tactics Against Hamas

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir conducted a visit to the Gaza Strip on Tuesday alongside Southern Command Chief Major General Yaniv Asor, Gaza Division Commander Brigadier General Liron Batito, and other brigade and battalion commanders. Zamir marked the approaching third anniversary of the October 7 attacks, highlighting the ongoing multi-front conflict involving Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and other arenas. He reaffirmed that the IDF’s primary objective remains the disarmament of Hamas in Gaza by all necessary means, emphasizing continuous efforts to weaken Hamas and prevent its rearmament.

Zamir stressed the relentless pursuit of those involved in the October 7 massacre, stating that all participants will be relentlessly hunted until eliminated, describing this as a long-term mission fully supported by the IDF leadership. He declared that the IDF has learned from past experiences and will not revert to the operational mindset of October 6, underscoring a zero-tolerance policy toward threats and a commitment to preventing the rebuilding of terrorist infrastructure.

In recent developments, another incendiary balloon was detected in Nahal Oz near the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council, following four similar devices found over the weekend. Meanwhile, Palestinians reported an IDF strike on a desalination facility in northern Gaza City. Uri Epstein, head of the Sha’ar HaNegev Council, criticized Israel’s current reactive approach, calling for a clear policy to identify and neutralize threats immediately upon crossing from Gaza, rather than after they land in Israeli communities.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after a security briefing with Zamir and senior officials, reiterated that Israel will not return to the security situation before October 7 and warned Hamas against continuing attacks. He stated that if incendiary balloon and drone launches do not cease immediately, the IDF will intensify targeted operations against those responsible and evacuate areas used for such attacks.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered the IDF to act decisively against the balloon launches, including targeting Hamas leaders responsible, evacuating launch areas, and dismantling terrorist infrastructure. Gallant classified every launch as an act of war, promising immediate and severe responses against organizers and perpetrators.