“We must now strengthen the foundations and routines, care for our people and their families, and prepare for the upcoming challenges that exist across all fronts.”
By The IDF Club
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir declared Monday that Israel’s mission in Gaza will not be complete until the bodies of every hostage killed in captivity are returned home, vowing that the army will continue its campaign against Hamas with strength and determination.
Speaking at an operational forum of senior commanders ranked lieutenant colonel and above, Zamir said the IDF is entering a new phase — one of reflection, rebuilding, and renewed focus — as it approaches 2026.
The gathering, attended by top field commanders from across the military, marked the beginning of what Zamir called a “learning process” following two years of intense warfare since October 7, 2023.
“The IDF looks to the future with the past on its shoulders,” Zamir said. “Drawing lessons and learning constitute our moral and professional duty, and we will do so with courage and determination.”
He emphasized that the army’s mission is far from finished. “The war is not yet over; we must complete our sacred mission of bringing the fallen hostages home and continue the campaign against Hamas,” Zamir said.
In his remarks, Zamir paid tribute to the fallen, the wounded, and the families who continue to bear the burden of war. “We must now strengthen the foundations and routines, care for our people and their families, and prepare for the upcoming challenges that exist across all fronts,” he said.
Addressing the commanders directly, Zamir called them “the most important forum in the IDF — the generation of victory and also of reckoning.” He praised their leadership through one of the most difficult periods in Israel’s history, saying their efforts had brought about “extraordinary achievements on multiple fronts.”
“We will face the failures of October 7 with open eyes and with honesty,” he said, “but also face the future with determination, confidence, and responsibility to secure Israel’s safety.”
Zamir stressed that the IDF remains both the defender of the State of Israel and a force for victory. “From strength, faith in our mission, and a deep sense of duty — we will stand guard and act with power,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Zamir expressed his confidence in the commanders and their troops: “I am proud of you for all that you have accomplished, and I am confident in our ability to continue moving forward.”
A similar conference for reservist commanders is scheduled for next week as part of the same military-wide reflection and renewal process.
