Israel's chief of staff warns of rapid strike on Hezbollah as Gaza conflict evolves

The militant group Hamas announced the resignation of its Gaza government, saying a technocratic committee will take over civil administration while existing officials remain in their posts. Israeli officials dismissed the move as largely symbolic.

Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Ayal Zamir visited the Bofar ridge in southern Lebanon, inspected underground tunnels used by Hezbollah, and told Lebanese forces to honor the cease‑fire agreement. He warned that the Israel Defense Forces are ready to launch a rapid attack if the cease‑fire is violated.

During the same period Israel experienced its quietest weekend since the war began, with continued operations against militants in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank and Syria, and the killing of a Hamas operative linked to a recent kidnapping.

The IDF has completed a major restructuring of its command and emergency procedures, creating a new “Ra'am” order that decentralises mobilisation authority to division commanders, aiming to prevent the delays that occurred on 7 October.

In the Golan Heights, about a hundred activists from the Halutzim HaBashan movement crossed into the Israeli‑controlled “Crown of the Hermon” area to establish a civilian settlement, citing recent Hezbollah attacks and the need to cement Israeli control.