IDF Chief Zamir: No Blind Spots, No Surprises After Oct 7

Chief of Staff Zamir at Gaza Division drill (Photo: IDF)

Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir conducted a close inspection of a large-scale, multi-dimensional command drill by the Gaza Division. Senior IDF officers joined the visit, including Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Yiniv Asur, Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Itai Ofir, Gaza Division commander Brig. Gen. Liron Batito, Operations Division head Brig. Gen. Barak Hiram, and commanders from across the ranks.

The drill was designed and executed using advanced models and the critical conclusions drawn from the events of October 7. It simulated complex defensive and offensive scenarios with the aim of achieving decisive defeat of the enemy in any required theatre.

During the field visit, the chief of staff examined in depth the readiness and operational preparedness of the forces for extreme emergency situations. A series of focused situation assessments took place, designed to test the division's full readiness for multi-front war and the execution of operational plans for a range of future scenarios, with active participation from brigade commanders.

At the centre of his remarks to the commanders, Maj. Gen. Zamir pointed to the critical need to internalise the systemic lessons. "The lessons of October 7 require us to ensure that such an event never happens again," the chief of staff said. "We must always be ready, understand that there are blind spots we do not identify, and prepare for every possible scenario. Our central test is readiness, capability and operational tempo."

Zamir stressed the importance of implementing orders in the field: "We must ensure that orders and directives are carried out meticulously down to the last outpost and force in the field, so that we do not allow the enemy to surprise us again." His words reflect the central lesson the IDF has drawn from the events of October 7, as he himself stated in another divisional drill: "The surprise scenario must always occupy us."

Ongoing Pursuit and Forward Defence

The chief of staff expanded on the offensive activity being carried out alongside the defensive posture, noting that the IDF is in the midst of an ongoing and consistent "pursuit battle" after the terrorists and raiders who took active part in the October 7 attack. Zamir expressed deep appreciation for the successful thwarting activity conducted by Southern Command, and defined it as a first-order operational and moral mission that will continue with determination until its full completion.

In addition, the chief of staff noted that in the past week, forces have been reinforced and defence systems have been strengthened in all theatres, so that forces are at an especially high level of alertness and readiness. Despite the fact that the enemy has suffered very severe blows during the fighting, it continues to plan hostile actions against our forces.

In light of this, the IDF is operating in all combat sectors with an operational concept of forward defence and focused counter-terrorism, avoiding passive waiting for threats and moving to proactive and offensive activity for their early removal.

Another central element on which the chief of staff focused during the visit is the territorial deployment to maintain order and national security with the aim of enabling the smooth conduct of democratic elections in the state, without any disruption or hostile external influence. As reported, the chief of staff has ordered a lockdown on departures from all IDF units starting this coming Thursday, as part of the special preparations ahead of the elections.