IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi emphasized on Wednesday the necessity of ground operations to defeat Hamas during a speech at a ceremony marking a change of command for the Ground Forces.
"Hamas’ military wing cannot be defeated without entering Gaza on foot and operating inside the tunnels," Halevi said. "Without maneuvering, we couldn’t eliminate Hamas operatives, locate infrastructure or cause the enemy real distress.
"We are far from finished. We will not stop until the hostages are returned and Hamas is eradicated. We will continue as long as Hamas seeks to govern."
Halevi also noted, "We are stripping the Syrian army of critical capabilities before they fall into the hands of terrorist organizations."