IDF Chief Of Staff Claims His Troops Place Hamas In A Difficult Situation So As To Agree To A Hostage Agreement

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi. (Source: IDF)

JAKARTA - Israel's Chief of Staff Defense Forces (IDF) claimed its troops managed to put Hamas in a difficult position, thus agreeing to the hostages' agreement.

Speaking to his troops in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza last week, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said the ceasefire would not have been reached if Hamas was not in a difficult situation.

"We will not reach an agreement based on this provision if Hamas is not in such a difficult situation, and we see this," he said.

"You are the one who brought Hamas into such a difficult situation, along with other troops, attacks, intelligence, and sustainable action," he explained during a meeting with IDF troops from the Nahal Brigade.

Lt. Gen. Halevi added, during the attack on Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip, which was launched in October, the IDF "killed about 3,000 terrorists, arrested hundreds of people."

"We are proud to step down and lend a hand to bring home dozens of hostages who are still alive, and we will also be proud and determined to come back and fight," he said.

It is known that the militant groups Hamas and Israel reached a hostage agreement on Wednesday last week, after the 15-month conflict that destroyed Gaza.

Had been delayed for several hours from all plans, the deal officially took effect on Sunday at 11:15 p.m. local time.

As part of the initial ceasefire, three Israeli hostages were released, following 90 Palestinian prisoners (69 women and 21 children) released by the Israeli side.