Visiting frontline troops in southern Gaza, LTG Eyal Zamir praised reserve brigades and vowed the IDF will eliminate Hamas’ last pockets of resistance while safeguarding Israel’s soldiers.
IDF Chief of Staff LTG Eyal Zamir conducted a frontline inspection Friday in the southern Gaza Strip, joined by senior security officials including the acting head of the Shin Bet, Southern Command chief MG Yaniv Asor, Gaza Division commander BG Barak Hiram, and leaders of reserve brigades and the Officer Training School.
Speaking directly to soldiers and commanders, Zamir delivered a message of appreciation and determination:
“The people of Israel have now marked their second Rosh Hashanah during this war. As we approach Yom Kippur and nearly two years of conflict, we are doing everything to return the hostages quickly and to defeat Hamas.”
🛡️ Focus on Gaza
Zamir emphasized that while Israel is active across multiple arenas, the IDF’s main operational focus remains in Gaza City and the northern Strip.
- Hamas’ governing capacity has collapsed.
- The terror group is now reduced to guerrilla-style resistance.
- The IDF is pressing to eliminate the last Hamas strongholds in Rafah.
⚔️ Learning From Sacrifice
Referring to the recent loss of a company commander and three soldiers from the Officer Training School, Zamir stressed the need to draw lessons from the tragedy:
“Force protection is a principle of war. We must ensure our soldiers get the best training under combat conditions and that commanders set a personal example.”
🙌 Praise for the Reserves
Zamir saluted Israel’s reserve brigades:
“You are among the finest of the people of Israel. Despite the hardships, you return to duty with high morale and unwavering motivation. Your contribution is invaluable.”
He assured them the IDF will work to reduce burdens on the reserves, rotate and refresh forces, and increase pressure on Hamas until its total dismantling.
🤝 Shin Bet–IDF Cooperation
Highlighting Israel’s unified security effort, Zamir noted:
“Our close cooperation with the Shin Bet continues to deliver operational achievements that strengthen Israel’s security—and will only intensify.”
🇮🇱 Bottom Line
Nearly two years into the war, the IDF remains relentlessly focused on dismantling Hamas, securing the hostages’ release, and protecting Israeli soldiers—all while ensuring Israel’s enemies know their time is running out.
