00:00I left Bikur with the IDF forces in the Gaza Strip with commanders and soldiers who, after
00:06months of long fighting, began the operational preparations to sign the agreement to return
00:12the kidnapped.
00:13For more than a year and three months, the IDF fought in Hamas and achieved important
00:19achievements.
00:20We destroyed Hamas' military armory, we destroyed the organization's leadership network, and
00:25the head of the organization, Ichi Esinuar.
00:28The kingdom is not over yet.
00:31We have a lot to do.
00:34We will do it with strength and determination.
00:37The IDF's great war has exposed the conditions for the implementation of the important goal
00:44that we are facing today, the return of the kidnapped to their homeland and their families.
00:52The war is a heavy price.
00:54We lost our sons and daughters who risked their lives for the security of the State of
01:01Israel and its citizens.
01:03We remember them all the time.
01:05They are on the right path and they bring the bereaved families.
01:09In Beit Hanun, we killed many terrorists in the last month.
01:13We had a lot of casualties in the last period, but we know what we are fighting for.
01:20This is what I heard just a few minutes ago from commanders and soldiers here in Beit Hanun.
01:28IDF soldiers are acting first and foremost to protect the citizens of the State of Israel.
01:35At this time, in the face of excitement and expectation, we in the IDF are committed to
01:42all the kidnapped and their families.
01:45Soldiers and citizens as one.
01:48We will not stop, we will not rest until they are all back.
01:53The actions of the IDF and the ISA have a decisive factor in creating the conditions
01:59for the agreement that was reached.
02:01In the coming days, the IDF will assign an increased number of defense units on the
02:07Gaza Strip border, which was planned in advance, and will combine defense units alongside
02:13offensive units.
02:15In the assurance that the IDF and the Israeli society did not stand in the retreat in October,
02:22we are determined to stand with them and ensure that a severe, cruel event today will not change.
02:30Our fight has already created a different situation in the field.
02:35Hamas is a very difficult attack.
02:38We will not allow it to take root, we will not allow it to rule.
02:42The level of security today is much better than it was in October 7 and even before.
02:51In the face of the initial failure, the IDF in this war prepared, executed and achieved
02:58many achievements.
03:00The Middle East is in turmoil.
03:02Our threat map has completely changed.
03:05Opportunities have opened up and we are prepared for new threats.
03:11Throughout the way, we are determined to achieve the goals of the war, and we will continue
03:18to do so.
03:20My thoughts today are with the families of the kidnapped, that the return of their loved
03:26ones will be confirmed soon, and with the families who are looking forward to the return of their
03:31loved ones soon.
03:32IDF on your side.
Comments