IDF chief Benny Gantz. Credit: IDF.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Benny Gantz told a group of 12th graders that Israel is capable of conducting military operations inside of Iran, Israel’s Channel 10 reported. His remarks were made during an appearance at an Israeli high school on Wednesday.

During a 30-minute presentation at the school in Gan Yavne, located in southern Israel, the IDF’s top soldier noted that, “Israel is capable of operating inside of any area code, including Iran’s.”

This was the first time any Israeli official addressed IDF activity in Iran, Channel 10 reported.

“The Israeli Air Force is wherever we need it to be. [IDF soldiers] are currently engaged in dozens of various clandestine activities, some which are taking place as we speak,” Gantz added.

The student body asked Gantz whether or not the IDF is capable of putting a stop to the rocket fire emanating from the nearby Gaza Strip. In response, he asserted that the only way to permanently end the launching of missiles at Israeli citizens is by “conquering Gaza,” Channel 10 said.