Chief of Staff Zamir: The Yellow Line is the New Gazan Border

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir toured northern Gaza on Sunday and declared that the “yellow line” established under the ceasefire framework now functions as a new operational border for Israel. Visiting positions near Beit Hanoun and Jabalia, Zamir received briefings from senior officers and spoke with troops responsible for holding the line since the withdrawal from central and southern parts of the Strip.

According to the IDF, Zamir reviewed recent operational activity and assessed preparations for potential attempts by Hamas to reconstitute its capabilities. He told commanders the army would not allow the organization to rebuild and stressed that Israeli forces would “respond with strength” to any effort to challenge the new defensive zone. The chief of staff described the yellow line as both a protective buffer for Israeli communities and a forward line of action from which forces can maneuver when needed.

During the visit, Zamir also referenced the remaining hostage, Sgt. Maj. Ran Gvili. He said the IDF views the mission as incomplete until Gvili’s body is brought home, even as the vast majority of captives have already returned under the ceasefire arrangements. The military has continued operations tied to intelligence gathering aimed at resolving the final case.

Zamir used the tour to highlight the importance of reserve forces, saying the IDF is working to expand and strengthen the reserve corps as part of long-term planning. He reiterated that ongoing post-war internal reviews have been completed and that their findings will guide structural and operational changes. The stated goal, he noted, is to ensure the failures that enabled the October 7 attack are not repeated.

His comments aligned with messages delivered during separate visits by senior officers in recent weeks, emphasizing that while active combat has halted, the IDF intends to maintain its presence along the yellow line for the foreseeable future. Commanders say the zone remains critical for stability and early warning, and that the army continues to prepare for potential flare-ups even as political discussions unfold regarding Gaza’s future governance.