Israeli chief of general staff says enemy has ‘not disappeared’

Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has warned troops in the Gaza Strip against complacency as an imminent ceasefire approaches.

I ask you, while all of Israel watches the screens and celebrates the release of the hostages, to remain vigilant. The enemy is there, he has not disappeared,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

“Our work is not yet finished; we will not rest until we have seen our last hostage return, the one who fell buried, and until we have ensured the security of the State of Israel.”

Zamir called the current situation “historic days” and praised the military pressure and ground operations that helped create the conditions for the planned return of the remaining 48 hostages and the initial end of the conflict.

“We must manage the transition to a ceasefire in a measured, professional and orderly manner. The security of our troops is at the top of the list of operational priorities,” he said.

Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas reached a first agreement on Thursday as part of efforts to end the conflict in Gaza.