Despite reported disapproval of Gaza takeover, Zamir says IDF 'won't stop until Hamas defeated'

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, in a visit to the Nachshonim base to meet with reservists reporting for duty, vowed that the IDF “will not stop the war until we defeat this enemy.” 

Despite expressing personal reservations about Operation Gideon’s Chariots II, Zamir expressed a strong stance regarding the operations against Hamas in Gaza. 

“We are preparing for the continuation of the war; we are going to increase and enhance the strikes of our operation, and that is why we called you,” Zamir told the reservists. 

Reiterating the multi-arena aspects of Israel’s war against Hamas and the Iranian proxy network across the Middle East, Zamir said that Hamas “will have no place to hide.” 

“Our enemies, on October 7th and since then, across the Middle East, united in their attempt to harm us and to destroy us,” Zamir remarked. “We are operating against all of them, constantly, with determination, without pause. We are striking them, dismantling them, defeating them, and we are prevailing over them. We are operating across the entire Middle East. Hamas will have no place to hide from us. Wherever we locate them, whether they are senior or junior figures - we strike them all, all the time.” 

The Chief of Staff noted that the IDF has already begun its operations in Gaza City and vowed to press forward. 

“We have already begun the ground operation in Gaza - make no mistake. We are already entering places we have never entered before and operating there with courage, strength, valor, and an extraordinary spirit,” Zamir stated. 

“I want to tell you that nowhere does the IDF offer anything less than decisive victory,” he continued. “We will not stop the war until we defeat this enemy.” 

Later on Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed new IDF conscripts and returning reservists, expressing his appreciation for their service, and vowing “a sweeping victory.” 

“I stand by you, and express my deep appreciation for you, IDF soldiers and reserve soldiers, and your families,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a video statement. “I know that you have paid a heavy price – at work, with studies and at home.” 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

"I stand by you, and express my deep appreciation for you, IDF soldiers and reserve soldiers, and your families.

I know that you have paid a heavy price – at work, with studies and at home.https://t.co/N4ZfrpMh0D pic.twitter.com/5Bgkza7P5v

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) September 2, 2025

The prime minister also referred to the difficult war, and the Hamas atrocities which launched it. 

“We are fighting a stubborn and just war without peer,” he stated. “We do not forget for a moment what they did to us on October 7, the beheadings, the women who were raped, the babies who were burned and the hostages who were taken into the tunnels in Gaza. We are working to bring them all back.” 

Like Zamir, Netanyahu also recounted the broader fight against the “Iranian axis,” saying Israel has “done wonders” in that fight. 

“We are acting to defeat Hamas but together we have, so far, done wonders in breaking the Iranian axis, both in Gaza and with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and with the Assad regime that collapsed, and with Iran itself that threatened us with existential threats, which we removed together, and now we are facing the Houthis,” Netanyahu recounted. “But what began in Gaza – must end in Gaza.” 

The prime minister called the upcoming Operation Gideon’ Chariots II a “decisive stage.” 

“Now we are facing the decisive stage. I believe in you. I rely on you and the entire people of Israel embraces you,” Netanyahu concluded. “With G-d's help, together we will win.”