IDF Chief: "I Approved Plans Today for the Next Phase of the Northern Campaign"

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir toured the northern border today and held a situational assessment with Northern Command. Addressing the possibility that an agreement between Iran and the United States will not be signed and that fighting will resume, Zamir said: "The IDF continues to monitor regional developments, is prepared to return to intense fighting immediately, and to further weaken the Iranian terror regime and its capabilities in a much deeper way. We will maintain readiness and operational flexibility for as long as necessary."

As for the fighting against Hezbollah, amid reports that Iran is demanding an end to the fighting in southern Lebanon, Zamir emphasized: "I approved plans today for the continuation of the campaign in the north. We are determined to deepen the blow to Hezbollah, across all its systems. Our mission is clear—to thwart every enemy, destroy terror infrastructure, and serve as the front line of defense for the communities of the north. We are acting to ensure and strengthen the security of northern residents. The damage to the Hezbollah terror organization is systematic and consistent—we will not let up. We will continue eliminating Hezbollah terrorists and its infrastructure that threaten the residents of the north and our forces."

Meanwhile, the IDF Spokesperson updated this evening that the IDF eliminated a Hamas terrorist who took part in the raid on Zikim Base during the October 7 massacre. The strike was carried out over the weekend by IDF forces in Southern Command. The terrorist, Louay Hisham Mahmoud Batzal, who served as a sniper in the Zeitoun Battalion, posed an immediate threat to our forces. An intelligence investigation found that in recent days, the terrorist had been working to carry out terror attacks against IDF forces operating in the Gaza Strip area.