‘Any ceasefire deal will be thanks to your combat’: Zamir credits Givati Brigade

“In the coming days, we will know whether or not we have an agreement. I want to say to you: if there is a deal and the hostages return, it will be thanks to your combat,” Zamir said.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir told commanders of the Givati Brigade on Wednesday that if Israel and Hamas reach a ceasefire agreement in the coming days, it will be due to the efforts of their soldiers.

“We are approaching a very crucial crossroads. In the coming days, we will know whether or not we have an agreement. I want to say to you: if there is a deal and the hostages return, it will be thanks to your combat,” Zamir said.

Speaking during a situational assessment and field tour in Gaza, Zamir emphasized the brigade’s role in the progress made on the ground. “Your achievements are significant, we already have operational control of 75% of the Gaza Strip,” he told the soldiers.

Zamir was joined on the tour by Southern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor, 162nd Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Sagiv Dahan, and other senior officers and brigade commanders.

During the tour, the IDF chief expressed appreciation for the brigade’s accomplishments and observed combat activity in the Beit Hanoun area.

“We will ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to the State of Israel for generations to come,” he said.

Zamir also honored three soldiers from the 401st Brigade who were recently killed. “Sadly, this war comes with a heavy cost. Two days ago, we lost three soldiers from the 401st Brigade. It is a painful and heavy price we have to pay in order to defend ourselves. We continue to strike and eliminate Hamas terrorists.”

He highlighted the scope of the IDF’s operations in recent weeks. “In recent weeks alone, we have struck over 1,300 terrorists, some of whom were Nukhba terrorists from October 7. We will continue striking terrorists relentlessly until the defeat and dismantlement of Hamas.”

If a ceasefire is reached, Zamir said the IDF would pause its activity and reposition along lines determined by the deal.

However, “If no deal is reached, my directive to Southern Command is to intensify and expand combat operations as much as possible, beyond what we are currently doing.”

IDF will extend operation, continue efforts

He added that the IDF would extend operations to additional areas and continue efforts at the same pace.

To conclude, Zamir referenced Lt. Hadar Goldin, a Givati Brigade soldier killed in Rafah during Operation Protective Edge in 2014, whose body has been held by Hamas in Gaza for over a decade.

“Hadar Goldin is the last hostage from Operation ‘Protective Edge.’ In his actions, Hadar is a symbol of bravery, modesty, and humility. We have a great obligation to bring him home. This week marks 4,000 days since Operation ‘Protective Edge.’ We are making tremendous efforts to bring Hadar back to his family, and we will not rest or stop until we bring him and all the other hostages home.”