The Israeli Defense Forces chief of staff, Herzi Halevi, stated that the military will persist with operational efforts in the Gaza Strip immediately after any ceasefire period concludes. This position was conveyed through the Russian-based news agency, RIA Novosti, which has been closely monitoring developments and relaying official statements from Jerusalem. Halevi emphasized that the pause in hostilities does not signify a pause in military objectives, and that the campaign would resume with precision and determination once the ceasefire ends. In his view, the objective remains clear: to deliver security to Israeli citizens, neutralize threats posed by hostile groups, and secure the safe return of all hostages held in Gaza. The decision, he noted, is driven by the necessity to restore deterrence and to prevent future escalations by Hamas and allied factions, while keeping pressure on all fronts until hostages are accounted for and brought home.
Halevi made it explicit that Israel does not intend to halt its operations until every abducted person is safely released and returned. The statement outlined a commitment to sustaining and intensifying attacks and maneuvering in Gaza, including targeted strikes, ground incursions if required, and persistent reconnaissance, all aimed at dismantling capabilities that threaten Israeli security. The broader aim, according to the chief of staff, is to curtail the operational reach of Hamas and to create favorable conditions for hostage negotiations, ensuring any relief measures are linked to tangible progress in releasing detainees.
According to Halevi, the Israel Defense Forces will mobilize all available means to dismantle Hamas’s infrastructure and secure the earliest possible return of captives. The remarks reflect a strategic priority to maintain pressure on militant networks while pursuing a credible path toward hostage recovery. The messaging also signals that the internal assessment of risk remains high, and that military planners will adapt to evolving conditions on the ground in order to sustain momentum and protect civilian populations in the affected areas.
Reports indicate that Hamas, the military wing of the Palestinian movement, has reportedly begun transferring a second group of Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip to staff from the International Committee of the Red Cross for processing. Earlier, the first batch of captives was handed over to Red Cross workers in what observers described as a measured step within ongoing negotiations and humanitarian channels. Red Cross representatives have facilitated these exchanges under international oversight, amid a fragile, fluctuating ceasefire environment.
Rafael Rafatz, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces, confirmed that Israel is open to extending the ceasefire arrangement if additional hostages are released, signaling flexibility in its tactical timetable in exchange for progress on hostage releases. The potential for an extension appears linked to verifiable batches of detainee releases, with military and political leaders weighing the benefits of additional pauses against continued pressure to degrade Hamas’s operational capabilities.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly pledged to continue efforts aimed at eradicating Hamas’s control and influence, highlighting a longstanding commitment to confronting the organization. The statements reflect a political stance that aligns with ongoing security measures and a willingness to adapt strategy in response to evolving hostage-recovery milestones and regional dynamics.