The Head of IDF Central Command, Major General Nitzan Alon, spoke to reporters Tuesday after a situation assessment meeting and summed up the state of “Operation Brother’s Keeper,” the search and counter-terror operation in Judea and Samaria following the abduction of three yeshiva youths by Hamas.

“We are in the middle of a complex operation for catching the terrorists and bringing the boys home safely,” Alon said. “The campaign is difficult and complex and will not end soon.”

“IDF forces are cutting off the oxygen of the terrorists,” he added, “and the heads of Hamas feel the pain well and understand the message. Hamas will come out of this event weakened operationally.”

Alon noted that IDF forces equivalent to about ten brigades, along with special forces, are currently taking part in the campaign. He told the reporters that he has been visiting the soldiers on the ground in the course of the last few days, and that “the combat soldiers and the commanders are determined, they are operating professionally and they understand the mission.”

He had a short message for the Yifrah, Sha’ar and Frenkel families, whose boys were abducted.

“We will do everything possible in order to bring the boys back home safely.”