IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir conducted a field tour and situation assessment in the Gaza Strip, telling battalion commanders: “Your achievements on the ground are advancing Hamas’s defeat and creating the potential for a hostage deal.” He added: “Unfortunately, battles also include casualties. This is part of the reality of war. Our fighters fell in the sacred mission of defending the communities near here. This cannot be done through defense alone; we defend by attacking. This is a central lesson we learned from October 7.” According to him, “If we reach a deal to return the hostages in the coming days, it will be your tremendous achievement.”
