IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi conducted a tour and situation assessment in the Gaza Strip, alongside Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Yaniv Ashur and other commanders, and told reserve soldiers that "we are working to remove threats in all arenas." Despite the fact that phase two of the ceasefire agreement stipulates that the IDF will withdraw from the Yellow Line in Gaza, the Chief of Staff claimed that "the Yellow Line is a new border - a forward defense line for communities and an attack line." He added: "The IDF is preparing for a scenario of a surprise war, this is one of the cornerstones of the multi-year plan."