IDF Chief of Staff: We Are Working Hard To Return Hadar Goldin

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir conducted a situational assessment in the south together with other senior commanders today (Wednesday), where he made the following statement:

"Here is the English translation:

"We will ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to the State of Israel for generations to come. Unfortunately, this war has heavy costs - the day before yesterday we lost three fighters from the 401st Brigade. This is a harsh and heavy price we pay to defend ourselves. We continue to strike and kill Hamas terrorists. Just recently we struck over 1,300 terrorists, some of them were the Nukhba raiders from October 7th. We will continue to persist and strike the terrorists until Hamas is defeated and eliminated. Your achievements are very significant - we already control 75% of the Strip's territory.

"We are close to a very significant junction. We will know in the coming days whether we have a deal or not. I want to tell you that if there is a deal and the hostages return, it will be thanks to your fighting, first and foremost thanks to your fighting. If an agreement is reached, we will stop and we will prepare on the lines that the political echelon will define. And if we don't reach a deal, my directive to the Southern Command is to intensify and expand the fighting as much as possible, beyond what we are doing now.

"We will enter additional territories and we will continue operations as we have been doing them so far.

"Hadar Goldin is the last hostage from Operation Protective Edge. Hadar, through his actions, is a symbol of heroism, modesty and humility. We have a great obligation to free him. This week we mark 4,000 days since Operation Protective Edge. We are making very great efforts to bring Hadar back to his family, and we will not rest and will not be silent until we bring him home, to his home and to his family, like all the other hostages."