In a sweeping situational assessment, LTG Eyal Zamir vows the IDF will seize operational opportunities, defeat Hamas, and maintain peak readiness across all fronts.
The IDF’s Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, convened a major General Staff situational assessment on Monday, bringing together top commanders from headquarters and the front lines to address readiness challenges in every arena of Israel’s defense. The meeting — the second in a series shaping the IDF’s annual work plan — comes as the military continues to wage war on multiple fronts.
“Our working assumption is that we are in a continuous war,” Zamir declared. “2026 will be a year of shaping and maximizing achievements, increasing preparedness, returning to fundamentals, and seizing operational opportunities.”
Citing the lessons of the October 7 attacks, Zamir praised the IDF’s “multi-front combat capabilities” that have “changed the face of the Middle East, strengthened national security, and created regional opportunities.”
Key directives from Zamir’s address:
- Return to fundamentals in training, procedures, alertness, and force build-up
- Differentiate strategy by arena, while reinforcing existing military frameworks and creating new ones
- Base all planning on lessons from the war while pushing forward technologically and operationally
- Keep the hostages at the forefront of operational planning
- Maintain the highest troop readiness while ensuring combat endurance through planned pauses
On Gaza, Zamir stated that the IDF is entering a new stage of combat in line with Security Cabinet decisions:
“The alternatives presented — all are intended to defeat Hamas. The IDF will be able to achieve operational control of Gaza City, just as it did in Khan Yunis and Rafah.”
He emphasized balancing offensive momentum with troop sustainability, warning that Israel must be ready for any expansion of the campaign.
Closing his remarks, Zamir paid tribute to soldiers in mandatory, career, and reserve service:
“I meet them everywhere — their fighting spirit and determination are inspiring. The combat support personnel across all branches are performing wonders. The achievements of this war are thanks to them.”
