IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir conducted a field tour in northern Gaza Strip along with other military commanders. He told soldiers from the 646 Brigade and Northern Brigade that "Hamas threat will not remain beyond the fence. We must continue to work to defeat Hamas, destroy terrorist infrastructure and its commanders. We are attacking to defend ourselves." According to him, "The return of all female and male hostages is an imperative and duty that we must fulfill, either through operational means or by creating appropriate conditions for negotiations. We will work to shorten the campaign and transition to new combat formations."