Chief of Staff, Lt. Col. Eyal Zamir, today (Wednesday) conducted a tour and assessment of the situation in southern Gaza City together with the Commander of the Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, Head of the Human Resources Division, Maj. Gen. Dado Bar-Khalifa, Commander of Division 36, Brigadier General Moran Omer, brigade commanders, and other commanders.

Chief of Staff, Lt. Col. Eyal Zamir, said: "We are operating in the Gaza Strip with large forces, focusing on an attack on Gaza City to create conditions for the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas. The IDF is attacking with force and precision - all its capabilities are at the disposal of the fighters. We will continue to advance systematically and thoroughly, while adhering to security rules."

"Most of the population of Gaza has already left the city, and we are moving it south for its defense.  I appeal to the residents of Gaza: rebel and separate from Hamas - it is responsible for your suffering. The war and the suffering will stop if Hamas releases the hostages and gives up its weapons."

In addition, the Chief of Staff told the fighters:
"You are the line of defense of the State of Israel. We will continue to protect our communities, to act as a buffer between the enemy and the citizens of Israel, and we will continue to fight our just and moral war. Your achievements are great, and the path is right with us. There are nations in the world that live in a false consciousness and exert pressure on us, instead of exerting it on Hamas after the terrible massacre it committed against our people.
On the Jewish New Year, we will bring security, defend, and win. This is a war between freedom and oppression. This is a war in which our fighters constitute the line of defense of the citizens of Israel and the Jewish people, and of humanity in the face of terror, oppressio,n and cruelty."