A Secret Strategy
Beyond Gaza: IDF Commander Vows Military Actions Are 'Redesigning the Middle East'
On the eve of the hostage return, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir lauded the military's achievements, declaring that military pressure coupled with the diplomatic deal constitutes a victory over Hamas, and that the IDF’s actions are reshaping the region's future security strategy.
In a sweeping statement delivered amidst the backdrop of the impending hostage release and the ceasefire agreement, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir offered a summation of the recent campaign, praising his troops and outlining the military's ongoing strategic vision.
The Chief of Staff announced the start of "Operation Returning to Our Borders" to retrieve the hostages from Hamas captivity. "In a few hours, we will all unite, one people, embraced and unified," he said, acknowledging the mixed emotions of the moment: "We will rejoice at the sight of our living captives returning to their families, and we will grieve with the return of our murdered captives, including our heroic soldiers who fell in battle."
Redefining Victory and Regional Strategy
Lt. Gen. Zamir framed the military and political manoeuvres as a clear triumph. "The military pressure we exerted over the past two years, along with the complementary political move, constitute a victory over Hamas," he proudly stated.
He then detailed the long-term impact of the IDF's actions: "We will continue to implement the remaining war objectives, in our actions, we are redesigning the face of the Middle East and our security strategy for the coming years."
Military Conduct and Accountability
The General emphasized that the safety of the hostages and the security of the fighting soldiers were paramount throughout the conflict. "The security of our fighters in battle and of the hostages in captivity stood before my eyes as a central consideration in every phase of the fighting," he explained.
He described the operational approach as precise and highly controlled, designed to minimize risks. "We acted with precision and professionalism, systematically and responsibly. We made complex decisions in order not to endanger the well-being of the hostages and to significantly reduce casualties to our forces."
Zamir also used the occasion to commend his troops, expressing profound admiration for their dedication: "IDF commanders and fighters, I saw your determination to bring the hostages home. I saw the eyes shining beyond the screen of exhaustion, the belief in the justice of the path. You did it; you brought the day."
New Appointment and Future Readiness
To manage the strategic transition, Lt. Gen. Zamir announced a key appointment. Maj. Gen. Yaki Dolf, the incoming commander of the Northern Corps, has been appointed to lead the headquarters that will focus on connecting the IDF to the international oversight mechanism, which will operate under the Deputy Chief of Staff.
Addressing the failures of the past, the Chief of Staff was direct: "We went into the fighting on October 7th out of a failure that will be branded into every Israeli soldier and commander. We will not cease to implement the lessons of that day so that the IDF is ready to fulfill its destiny and protect the citizens of the state from any threat."
He ended with a tribute to the fallen: "Against my eyes are all 915 IDF soldiers, men and women, who fell in the campaign. The abyss of loss they left in the hearts of their loved ones, it opened up in me too. It opened up in all of us. We will not forget for a moment the price of the loss, the sacrifice, our wounded in body and soul who continue to fight in a war that is not over."