The Chief of Staff in his first statement: "It's time for war"

After a day and a half, the IDF spokesperson released the first statement by Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi regarding the terror attack in the south.

Today, Lieutenant General Halevi visited the Southern Command for a situation assessment, where he met with the commander of the Southern Command and other senior officers, including the former commander of the Southern Command, Major General Eliezer Toledano, in order to determine how to proceed against Hamas in Israeli territory and the Gaza Strip.

"The State of Israel and the IDF are currently responding to an unjust and ruthless attack by Hamas. The infiltration of terrorists into private homes of civilians in the Gaza periphery, as well as the abduction of women and children, is a murderous act of terrorism. Therefore, we are now taking action, pursuing, and targeting anyone who has taken part in this, and we will continue to do so.

"I know that the recent days have been tough, and the cost is heavy. There are many questions and a lot of frustration. But the important thing is that we are looking forward and focusing on actions towards solving the issues.

"We have citizens, security forces personnel, soldiers in the hands of the enemy. Therefore, it is time for war. Not an operation! Not a round. War! And in this war, the IDF will act strongly and prevail. We will achieve the necessary accomplishments. We are expecting long and complex days of battle. We will maintain readiness in all areas. Everyone will do their best. We will continue to attack all of Gaza, especially the areas from which attacks are launched into our territory."