Israel’s army chief vows to demilitarise Gaza despite ceasefire

Jerusalem: Israel's army chief has pledged to continue disarming Hamas, even as the U.S. attempts to establish a Gaza ceasefire. Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, during a visit to the Palestinian territory, stated that Israel would not stop pursuing the goal of demilitarising Gaza and eliminating Hamas, using all necessary means. The army chief emphasized that the pursuit of terrorists involved in the Oct 7, 2023 attack will persist, with no concessions made to allow the enemy to rebuild or establish terrorist infrastructure.

Despite the recent ceasefire, Israeli strikes have continued, targeting militants and preventing the group's resurgence. The Israeli military also aims to eliminate any threats posed by Hamas, ensuring that no one who participated in the massacre will be able to evade capture. Hamas has endorsed a peace roadmap, proposing to hand over its weapons to a Palestinian technocratic committee.

However, Israel remains steadfast in its refusal to withdraw forces until Hamas is fully disarmed. The conflict in Gaza began with the Oct 7, 2023 attack, which claimed 1,221 lives and left 251 people as hostages. Israel's response has resulted in a significant loss of life, with at least 73,431 people killed, according to the Palestinian health ministry's figures.