IDF Chief Zamir in Lebanon: 'We're Ready to Resume Fighting at Any Moment' — Hezbollah in Deep Distress

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir conducted a special field assessment Sunday in southern Lebanon alongside Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo, 91st Division commander Brig. Gen. Yuval Gaz, and brigade commanders operating in the sector, delivering a stark message about Israel's readiness to resume full-scale combat operations despite the fragile ceasefire.

Speaking directly to troops deployed in the Beaufort and Ali Taher regions, areas where Hezbollah constructed what Zamir described as a "twenty-year underground fortress" --- the IDF chief expressed deep appreciation for soldiers and commanders while acknowledging the heavy toll of recent losses. His visit came just days after four soldiers, including Battalion 52 commander Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon, were killed in a Hezbollah strike on their tank in Kfar Tebnit.

"We are paying heavy prices in defending the homeland," Zamir stated, addressing the fallen soldiers directly. "The loss of the battalion commander and his crew is painful, and I express deep sorrow on behalf of the IDF and the entire nation. I came here to convey profound appreciation for everything you are doing. We are in the midst of a multi-front campaign and continue to fight against the Hezbollah terror organization. This is unprecedented operational activity."

Hezbollah 'In Deep Distress' After Recent Strikes

The IDF chief revealed significant recent operational successes against Hezbollah's mid-level command structure, signaling that Israel's intelligence and strike capabilities remain highly effective despite the nominal ceasefire. "Hezbollah has suffered a severe and deep blow," Zamir declared. "Just in the past two days, we eliminated a significant command echelon at the middle ranks of the Badr units and additional units."

Zamir emphasized that the terror organization remains "in very deep distress" and warned that the IDF is committed to preventing its reconstitution. The assessment aligns with broader concerns among military commanders about operational restrictions that some soldiers say are hampering their ability to respond to threats in real time.

"Our goal is clear and unchanged, protecting the communities of the north and the citizens of Israel," the chief of staff stated. "That is why we are operating, and that is why we are directing all our efforts. The activity in the Ali Taher and Bufor areas is designed to serve this purpose. One of the central lessons from October 7 is that we will no longer allow a security reality in which radical terror organizations entrench themselves on our borders."

Ceasefire 'Fragile' — Forces on High Alert

Zamir made clear that despite the current lull in fighting, the IDF views the ceasefire as inherently unstable and is maintaining maximum readiness for renewed combat. "The ceasefire that was declared is fragile, and we must be prepared at a high level of readiness to resume combat activity, to thwart threats, and to transition quickly to offense if required," he warned. "All IDF resources are allocated to this."

The chief of staff's remarks come as Israeli forces continue operating in what has become a de facto buffer zone in southern Lebanon, a presence that remains deeply controversial both diplomatically and among troops on the ground. The strategic importance of the Beaufort region, which Zamir described as one of Northern Command's "centers of gravity," underscores why Israel has resisted international pressure to withdraw fully from Lebanese territory.

Zamir concluded his address with a personal tribute to the 401st Armored Brigade, which has borne an exceptionally heavy burden throughout the war. "Commanders of the 401st, I salute you. I have tremendous appreciation for you," he stated. "The brigade demonstrates extraordinary determination and resilience in the face of the losses it has suffered throughout the war in its soldiers and command echelon. You continue to lead from the front, with determination, with strength, and with fighting spirit. Nothing can stop the 401st Brigade. That is your spirit, that is the spirit of the IDF."

The 401st has suffered devastating losses in recent weeks, including the deaths of four soldiers in the midnight tank strike that killed Lt. Col. Ben Simhon and three crew members. The brigade's continued operational effectiveness despite these losses has become a symbol of IDF resilience, even as questions mount about the sustainability of Israel's presence in southern Lebanon and the rules of engagement governing troops in the field.