Gaza demilitarization remains Israel’s key objective, army chief says

Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said on Friday (13 February) that Israel remains committed to the complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the disarmament of Hamas, calling for intensified operations to destroy tunnel networks and control access along the ceasefire line.

Speaking during a tour of Rafah in southern Gaza, Zamir said, “We are not giving up on the war goal — the complete demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip and the disarmament of Hamas.”

He was accompanied by senior commanders as troops cleared what the military described as “terrorist” infrastructure along the so-called Yellow Line, which marks Israeli-controlled areas under the ceasefire.

Earlier, the Israel Defense Forces reported striking a building in northern Gaza after spotting two militants entering the structure east of the Yellow Line. The Israeli Air Force confirmed the hit.

Hamas, meanwhile, has said it will not relinquish weapons unless Israel fully adheres to the ceasefire, according to senior official Mahmoud Mardawi.

The ceasefire in Gaza, in place since 10 October 2025, initially covered prisoner exchanges and humanitarian aid. A proposed second phase calls for a full Israeli military withdrawal, the disarmament of Hamas, and the start of reconstruction under a transitional governing authority.

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