During a visit to the Golan Heights and southern Syria, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said Israel must remain prepared for changes on the Syrian front and prevent hostile forces from establishing themselves near the border.
By David Brummer
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir visited the 210th Division on Wednesday, reviewing developments in southern Syria and meeting reservists serving in the area.
He said the IDF would continue monitoring changes on the Syrian front and act to prevent both terrorist and significant military threats from developing along Israel’s borders.
Zamir was accompanied by Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo, 210th Division commander Brig. Gen. Yair Paley, 474th Regional Brigade commander Col. Y, and other senior officers.
During the visit, Zamir held an operational assessment and toured the southern Syrian sector, where he spoke with reservists and praised their work and operational activity.
“We are operating in a multi-front reality in which the challenges are constantly changing and developing. The Syrian arena is one of them,” Zamir said.
“We are monitoring what is happening and following changes on the Syrian front, and we must prepare accordingly. We will not allow hostile forces to establish themselves along our borders, and we will know how to use our power precisely where and when it is needed.”
Zamir said Israel must prevent the emergence of terrorist threats while also ensuring that a significant military threat does not develop along its borders.
“In Syria, too, we have created a forward defensive area that serves as a buffer along the front of the communities, and our forces are operating there,” he said.
The IDF chief also stressed that Israel remains engaged in a multi-front war and must be prepared for renewed escalation.
“We are still in a multi-front war, alert and operating across all arenas. Escalation can develop in any of them, and we must remain constantly prepared for it,” he said.
Zamir also praised the reservists serving with the division, highlighting the burden carried by those who have spent hundreds of days in military service since the start of the war.
“The division is doing an excellent job,” he said. “I want to express my great appreciation to the reserve forces here. I met a high-quality, professional reserve battalion, with reservists who have served hundreds of days since the beginning of the war.”
“I am aware of the heavy burden on your shoulders. I appreciate your work and am doing a great deal to ease that burden for you and your families. The entire people of Israel owe you a great deal.”
