Ensure Troops Are Ready To Continue War, IDF Chief Of Staff: We Use Ceasefire To Learn

JAKARTA - Israeli Chief of Staff Defense Forces (IDF) Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said the military was ready "today" to possibly continue fighting in the Gaza Strip, welcomed the release of hostages by Hamas, but made sure it did not stop until all hostages were released.

"Today, the IDF is ready to continue fighting. We are using the days of the ceasefire as part of the agreement to learn, strengthen readiness, and approve operational plans over the timeframe," Lieutenant General Halevi said in a press statement in northern Israel, quoted from The Times of Israel November 29.

Furthermore, despite acknowledging the complex goals and taking time, Lt. Gen. Halevi ensured that his party was ready to continue to struggle to eliminate Hamas.

"We are preparing to continue to struggle to disperse Hamas. It will take time, this is a complex goal, but it is more than enough to justify," he said.

Halevi added that the ceasefire extension from the original four days allowed more hostages to be released.

He said any hostages who returned were "very relief". However, according to him, the IDF will not stop until they are all released.

"The return of the hostages is a ray of light for all of us. It is also another proof of the significant military pressure and high-quality ground maneuvers. We are creating conditions for the return of our citizens to home. We will continue to do so," said Halevi.