Israel chief of staff calls for unity, resilience as forces transition to next phase of operations

The Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Eyal Zamir, emphasized the importance of unity, resilience, and leadership under extraordinary circumstances as he convened an operational forum on November 3 with commanders of reserve combat troops holding the rank of lieutenant colonel and above, as part of a broader General Staff Forum.

The gathering focused on lessons learned, operational updates, and the ongoing demands on Israel’s military amid a historic multi-front conflict, Caliber.Az reports.

“Thirty years after the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, it is our duty in the IDF to remember the lessons of that period. As commanders, our responsibility is to safeguard the internal resilience of the IDF, even when there is disagreement outside, and to serve as an example of unity and statesmanship,” Zamir noted.

Reflecting on the ongoing war, Zamir noted the unprecedented challenges faced by the reserve forces:

“We are now two years into an unprecedented, historic, multi-front war. You have acted with exceptional dedication. The reserve system has never before been mobilized for such an extended duration, across multiple arenas, while bearing such a heavy price - in fallen soldiers, and in body and spirit. This is a war of the entire army, a war of the people, with the reserves at its forefront. You have done so with immense sacrifice and spirit.”

Zamir also acknowledged the continuing impact of the October 7 attacks, reporting that the bodies of three hostages taken during those battles had been returned:

“We will not stop and will not rest until all of our deceased hostages are returned for burial.”

Highlighting a transitional phase in the conflict, Zamir stressed both the challenges and achievements of the IDF:

“We are in a new phase, a critical transitional period and a systemic turning point. We are neither in full-scale war nor in routine. We have reached this stage from a position of great strength and unprecedented multi-front achievements.

Before our eyes stands the deep failure and tragedy of October 7th, and before our eyes also stands the great achievements of the IDF since then. We have journeyed a painful path from failure to victory.”

Recognizing the personal toll on troops, Zamir urged commanders to prioritize self-care and family support:

“After two years of continuous operations, I hope you will find time to care for yourselves and your families. I know this is easier said than done, as you continue to operate across all arenas. We will do everything possible to ease the burden and support you.”

He concluded with a forward-looking message on operational priorities:

“Operational activity continues in certain arenas at a reduced intensity, enabling our troops to refresh and strengthen their foundations as we define the next stage. Whether stabilizing systematically or returning to combat, and the continued pursuit of victory and decisive results."

By Vafa Guliyeva