The Long Breath: General Zamir Warns the War with Iran Won't End Soon

During a high-level visit to the Northern Command on Thursday, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir provided a sobering assessment of the ongoing multi-front war, stating clearly that "this campaign will not be short." Accompanied by Northern Command head Major General Rafi Milo, the Chief of Staff oversaw the deployment of hundreds of additional intelligence and combat officers to the border. Zamir emphasized that Lebanon is no longer viewed as a "secondary" theater but has been elevated to a primary front alongside the direct war against the Iranian regime. In a rare display of leadership accountability, the General also addressed the recent failure to warn northern mayors before a massive rocket barrage, stating that if a mistake was made, the responsibility belongs "first and foremost" to him.

A Multi-Front War Against "Absolute Evil"

The Chief of Staff described the current situation as an existential struggle against an Iranian regime that he characterized as "absolute evil." He noted that the IDF is operating with immense power against both the regime and its various proxies, with every strike on the Iranian mainland directly weakening the capabilities of Hezbollah and other regional allies. "We are in a multi-arena war, we are acting simultaneously against Iran and its messengers," Zamir said. He warned the public not to be swayed by psychological warfare or attempts to sow demoralization, insisting that the military is focused on a long-term victory that will permanently change the security reality for the residents of northern Israel.

Accountability and Learning

Addressing the controversy surrounding the 200-rocket barrage that struck Israel on Wednesday night, Zamir admitted that the military’s internal communication with local leaders was flawed. While the air defenses performed exceptionally well, intercepting nearly all of the hundreds of rockets with only two impacts in Israeli territory, the lack of advanced notice to civilian authorities has become a point of intense internal review. "We will investigate and learn from last night's decisions. If there was a mistake, the responsibility is mine. We will draw lessons and learn," the Chief of Staff promised. He viewed the low impact rate of the missiles as a "very significant achievement" but acknowledged that the psychological protection of the citizens is just as vital as the physical defense.

Seizing the Initiative in Lebanon

Zamir also addressed the failure of the Lebanese government to restrain Hezbollah, echoing the Defense Minister’s earlier warnings that Israel is prepared to act as the sovereign power in southern Lebanon if necessary. "The Lebanese government does not enforce its authority in its territory, therefore we will do so," he declared. The Chief of Staff confirmed that the Northern Command is being bolstered with significant new resources, including advanced collection capabilities and fire-control units. He insisted that Hezbollah has made a "grave mistake" by joining the war and will continue to pay a heavy price as the IDF moves forward. The message was clear: the military is prepared for a prolonged stay in the region to ensure that quiet is restored to the north permanently.