Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir issued a stark warning Thursday about the military's financial situation, cautioning that budget constraints are undermining the IDF's operational readiness even as forces prepare for heightened alert during the upcoming Jewish holiday period.
Speaking during a multi-front situation assessment, Zamir announced increased readiness levels across all theaters of operation, from Iran and Lebanon to the Gaza Strip and Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). "We face numerous challenges," the IDF chief said. "We are advancing combat procedures across all arenas, from Iran and Lebanon to Gaza, and maintaining high alert in the face of multi-front volatility."
Zamir orderied reinforced deployments in Judea and Samaria ahead of the holidays. "In light of the tensions in Judea and Samaria and the approaching holiday period, I am directing the elevation of readiness with an additional regular division headquarters to strengthen the force structure in the sector," he said. "Beyond this, we must prepare for immediate deployment of units and battalions for reinforcement in the area."
The chief of staff made it clear that operational readiness will not be reduced during the holiday period: "The IDF across all its systems will stand at full, multi-front readiness during the holidays. There will be no pause and no thinning of operational force structure,"
