Israel fends off aggression at Lebanon border as it prepares to invade Gaza

Israel’s Defense Forces Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, sent a letter to his fellow soldiers, commanders and reservists amid the war in the Jewish State stemming from a surprise attack by Hamas terrorists.

“On Saturday morning, October 7 2023, Hamas terror organization commenced a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel,” Halevi began. “They seek to destabilize Israel’s sovereignty by carrying out cruel and criminal actions. During this fateful hour, we are keeping our oath to protect our homeland and Israel’s freedom and are fighting back. This is the eleventh consecutive day that the IDF is striking the enemy from the air, ground and sea.”

“We destroyed enemy infrastructure, leadership and capabilities and caused significant damage,” he continued. “We will pursue and catch them everywhere and will strike them with force. We are determined and unified in our mission to protect our home and are prepared for any situation at every front. Our uncompromising responsibility is to overwhelm the enemy and restore security everywhere.”

More than 3,600 people have been killed since Hamas launched its attack against Israel on Oct. 7, leading to retaliatory action from Israeli forces. Thousands more have been wounded, and many others have been abducted by Hamas and raped, tortured and murdered.

“We took a hard hit and we are responsible, but now the initiative is in our hands,” Halevi wrote. “Every single one of you has a role in the challenges we face ahead. The war will be difficult and long and the IDF will prevail. The IDF will prevail because of our dedication to the mission, our bravery, and camaraderie. The IDF will prevail because our war is just. The IDF will prevail thanks to the might of the nation we are a part of. We will prevail because of our abilities and because we trained for this mission. We will prevail, and in everything that we do we will act according to the IDF spirit and its values.”

“We will remember our comrades, soldiers, commanders, security forces; the rapid response teams and the civilians that bravely stormed the enemy, and courageously fought and saved many lives,” the letter reads. “They fought and paid with their lives, but their blood was not absorbed into the soil in vain; they are our legacy, and we will continue their mission.”

Halevi added, “The Israeli people have faced hardships before. The IDF was and still is the protector of the nation, and we are a generation of fighters that are another link in the chain of generations of protectors of the country. Our power, determination and unity will prevail in this chapter of history as well.”

“The citizens of Israel trust in you. I trust in you,” he concluded.