IDF Chief: Israel Must Stay on High Alert and Be Ready for Escalation With Iran

At the opening of the General Staff situational assessment held this morning (Thursday) to mark 1,000 days since the October 7 massacre, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir addressed the security situation across all fronts, the ongoing threats, and the importance of strengthening the IDF’s readiness.

At the start of his remarks, the chief of staff noted that today marks 1,000 days since the outbreak of the war, "which began with a failure and the most terrible disaster in the history of the State of Israel. Out of the disaster, we rose, recovered, and led a campaign that brought unprecedented achievements in the history of the state."

He went on to say: "Yesterday I took part in the state ceremony marking 20 years since the Second Lebanon War," adding that "these dates may be symbolic milestones, but they carry deep significance for memory, learning, and drawing lessons."

Zamir devoted a central part of his remarks to today’s security challenges and stressed that Iran continues to top the IDF’s operational priorities: "Iran continues to be the central focus of readiness. We are in an interim period across all combat arenas. All arenas are still active at varying levels of intensity, and in each arena there are shaping processes underway. The arenas are interconnected, and any action in one could affect the others. In every sector, we must continue to stay alert and be prepared for rapid escalation and an immediate return to fighting in order to deepen our achievements and secure victory."

Alongside the operational buildup, Zamir emphasized that the current period also requires investment in personnel and restoring readiness. In his words, "Alongside vigilance and continued thwarting of threats, we must use the coming period to reduce burnout, care for our people, and improve operational readiness."

He later addressed the contribution of those serving across all IDF branches and stressed that the military’s achievements were made possible by their determination and sacrifice: "The achievements of the multi-front campaign came through the determination and sacrifice of the defenders of the state. The guardians of the walls, driven by a sense of national mission, are first and foremost the male and female soldiers on the front lines, with all the supporting branches behind them across the IDF."

In closing, in what was seen as an indirect reference to the Knesset’s preliminary approval of the "Basic Law: Torah Study," the chief of staff said: "The soldiers and commanders in mandatory service, career service, and the reserves are the most important resource of the State of Israel. It is fitting and right that they be first in the order of priorities to receive the state’s recognition through decisions and resources, while ensuring care for them, their families, and their future.".