‘This is a war for our right to live as a free people in our land’
By Hezy Laing
Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, the current head of the IDF Southern Command, recently delivered a fiery and resolute statement about Israel’s commitment to defeat the Hamas terror organization.
The move comes in contradiction to growing forecasts that the IDF was winding down the war.
Asor declared that Israel will not end the war until the Hamas terror group, which massacred over 1200 Israelis, is removed as a threat from the Gaza Strip.
“This is a war for our right to live as a free people in our land”, and noting that the historic struggle was for national survival.
He stressed that the IDF is “initiating, surprising, daring and attacking the head of the snake”, referring to Hamas and its Iranian backing.
Asor also highlighted the importance of capturing the Seventy Ridge, a strategic high ground that enhances defense for towns like Netivot, Sderot, and Kfar Aza.
During his speech Asor painted a vivid image of Israeli flags flying over reclaimed territory, signaling safety and national pride to returning residents.
Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor’s remarks come amid growing Israeli media pressure to end the war without defeating Hamas.
The far-left Haaretz newspaper has been one of the most vocal platforms in Israeli media advocating for an end to the war.
Meanwhile the Times of Israel published a letter signed by 350 Israeli authors, including David Grossman and Zeruya Shalev, calling on Prime Minister Netanyahu to stop the war.
On television Channel 12 (Keshet) has hosted roundtables where commentators have questioned the war’s strategic value, with some suggesting it’s time to reassess or end the campaign.
And Kan 11 News, Israel’s public broadcaster, has covered anti-war protests extensively, including speeches from figures who claimed the war “no longer serves a viable security aim”.
