IDF Chief Of Staff Says Military Do All Necessary Pressure For Hostage Deal With Hamas

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi (second from the left) when meeting his troop commander in Gaza. (Source: IDF)

JAKARTA - Israeli Chief of Staff Defense Forces Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said on Sunday a deal with Hamas that would release hostages in exchange for a ceasefire, a possible withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian security prisoners was a must. moral, with the military going to be able to deal with its implications.

"The agreement to return the hostages is an urgent moral obligation to save lives," he said at a news conference at Palmachim Air Base in central Israel, reported The Times of Israel July 15.

"The IDF created all the necessary pressure to create the best conditions for such a deal, and this is what we have done since the end of the previous deal," he explained, regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks.

Earlier, PM Netanyahu on Saturday night accused, "for months there has been no progress (to the hostage-taking agreement) because military pressure is not strong enough," and that only changed when he insisted on the IDF to enter Rafah.

PM Netanyahu himself has been accused by critics of repeatedly damaging negotiated efforts.

"The IDF will know how to comply with any agreement approved by political echelons, and even after the ceasefire, to come back and fight with high intensity," said Lt. Gen. Halevi.

"IDF will not stop working to free the hostages, those who pass time very difficult, and we will not give up on continuing to attack Hamas until this goal is achieved, and of course, we will not give up on achieving security for Israeli citizens," he stressed.