Brigadier General Efi Dufferin made a statement upon the completion of the IDF withdrawal and the end of the war, clarifying:"We are prepared to defend Israel everywhere. This is an exciting moment for the people and the fighters who acted with courage and fortitude." The President went to the memorial site on Mount Herzl: "Some fell wearing vests with pictures of hostages. It is important that we remember this forever."
Itamar Eichner, Yoav Zeiton|
IDF spokesman Brigadier General Efi Dufferin said at noon (Friday) that the IDF has defeated Hamas wherever it has fought it."Hamas is not what it was two years ago," Dufferin said."We are prepared to defend the State of Israel everywhere - and not just in Gaza." Israel estimates that the release of the hostages will begin on Monday.
Map of the yellow line that divides the Strip (Photo: IDF spokesman)
Dufferin, who made a statement after the IDF's withdrawal was completed, added that"our brothers and sisters held captive by Hamas, both living and dead, are returning to their families, to their homes and to their country. We led the military operation responsibly and systematically, and above all with determination, with the love of our fighters for the people and the country. This operation led to unprecedented achievements in all sectors and the return of the kidnapped."
He added: "This is an exciting moment for the people of Israel and for the IDF fighters and soldiers who fought and acted over the past two years with courage, fortitude, and out of mission and dedication."
President Herzog on Mount Herzl with his wife."Thank you on behalf of the entire people of Israel" (Photo: Yossi Zamir)
President Yitzhak Herzog arrived at the memorial site on Mount Herzl today and said,"The battle our warriors fought in is an unparalleled just battle. It is important that we know how much we owe them. It is important that we know how to say - thank you. I say thank you on behalf of the entire people of Israel."
He added: "Heroes who came out to protect us, all of us. They risked their lives, went with all their might to defeat the enemy and to return the kidnapped. Some fell with pictures of the kidnapped on their vests. It is important that we remember and mention this forever. It is important that we know how much we owe them. It is important that we cherish and honor their families. It is important that we embrace the wounded in body and soul. It is important that we know how to say - thank you. I say thank you on behalf of the entire people of Israel."
The IDF withdrawal was completed at 12:00 noon, as confirmed by President Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff. From the moment the IDF withdrawal to the Yellow Line in the Trump plan was completed, a 72-hour countdown began, during which Hamas was required to release all the hostages alive.
The IDF has completed preparations to absorb the hostages.
In the afternoon, the IDF announced that it had completed its preparations for the absorption of the abductees. The IDF spokesman's statement stated that"the Manpower Division, in cooperation with the Technology and Logistics Division, completed over the past 24 hours the preparations for the absorption of the abductees expected to return from the Gaza Strip. The preparations were carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, other government ministries and security agencies, with the aim of ensuring a professional, sensitive and optimal absorption of the returnees and their families."
"As part of the preparations, the initial absorption complex where the abductees will be absorbed was expanded, including an individual enclosure, personal rooms for getting ready, and a medical enclosure. In addition, assessments were made by the military police. In the complex, the returnees are expected to meet their families for the first time in an exciting meeting, and therefore a dedicated complex was also established for the families. Preparations were made for the medical teams and mental health officers who will meet the returnees upon their return. In addition, preparations were made in the hospitals by the IDF and the Ministry of Health to ensure full readiness and optimal absorption for the returnees. Liaison officers in the Human Resources Division are in constant contact with the families and accompany them continuously."
