IDF Chief Declares Combat Will Persist if Hostages Remain in Gaza

The chief of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, announced on Friday that military operations in Gaza will continue without pause if efforts to secure the release of hostages fail. Speaking to officials and troops at a command center, Zamir stated, “I estimate that in the coming days we will know whether we can reach an agreement for the release of our hostages.” He emphasized that if negotiations do not yield results, “the combat will continue without rest.”

The IDF’s statement comes as tensions remain high following the October 2023 attacks by Hamas, during which 251 individuals were abducted from Israel. Currently, 49 of these hostages are still believed to be held in Gaza, with reports indicating that 27 have died. This week, Palestinian armed factions released two videos showing hostages appearing frail and malnourished, intensifying concerns among their families and the public.

Negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages, mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, have reportedly stalled since last month. As calls grow for a more aggressive military response, both domestically and internationally, families of the hostages are urging the government to take immediate action.

Compounding the crisis, humanitarian organizations have warned that restrictions on Israeli aid are leading to severe famine in Gaza. Despite these claims, Zamir dismissed accusations that the IDF is intentionally causing starvation. He stated, “The current campaign of false accusations of intentional starvation is a deliberate, timed, and deceitful attempt to accuse the IDF, a moral army, of war crimes. The ones responsible for the killing and suffering of the residents in the Gaza Strip is Hamas.”

According to official figures, the 2023 Hamas attacks have resulted in the deaths of 1,219 individuals, primarily civilians. The IDF also reported that since the onset of ground operations in Gaza, 898 Israeli soldiers have lost their lives. In contrast, the health ministry in Gaza, which operates under Hamas, estimates that Israeli military actions have led to at least 60,332 deaths in the territory, with a significant majority being civilians.

As the situation develops, the ongoing conflict continues to draw international attention, with increasing calls for renewed diplomatic efforts to establish a lasting peace and secure the safe return of hostages.