Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir asserted that the military will continue its operations "preemptively" in the Gaza Strip, vowing to pursue those responsible for the October 7, 2023, attack.
During a field inspection in Gaza, Zamir emphasized that the army will operate with the principle of protecting towns and residents, affirming that Israel "will not allow a similar threat to what occurred on October 7" to appear on its borders.
Zamir's remarks come amid ongoing consultations regarding the U.S. plan to end the war in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his government has not yet agreed to the American proposal, despite receiving assurances that any Israeli withdrawal from the territory will not commence before Hamas is fully disarmed.
Hamas had agreed to disarm as part of the second phase of the U.S. plan, which involves a gradual disarmament in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
In contrast, the "Peace Council" headed by U.S. President Donald Trump assured Netanyahu that any Israeli withdrawal remains contingent upon the complete disarmament of Hamas, a condition that Tel Aviv still considers essential for ending military operations.