An extensive operational update conference was held today (Monday) at the Ramat David Air Force Base, with the participation of the IDF's senior command staff from all commands, wings and branches.
The conference focused on summarizing the achievements of the campaign in Iran as part of Operation 'Roar of the Harrier' and the continuation of the activity in southern Lebanon.
During the day, the commanders held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
The Chief of Staff, Major General Eyal Zamir, gave a speech in which he combined a strategic review with the establishment of strict command norms.
Zamir addressed the operational situation: "We are still in the midst of a multi-scene campaign, the IDF has created and will continue to work to establish a new security reality. We have established forward defense zones in all sectors on the front lines for our communities - in the Gaza Strip, Syria and Lebanon. We must remain in these zones until security for our communities is guaranteed over time.".
The Chief of Staff revealed that military achievements are the basis for current political moves: "These days, three negotiations are taking place, led by the political echelon, in different arenas - Iran, Lebanon and Gaza. These processes are based on the IDF's achievements, which were achieved thanks to the fighters and commanders in the air, at sea and on land. Thanks to you - we have met all the missions.".
Regarding the campaign against Tehran, he said: "In Iran - we have achieved unprecedented achievements and eliminated existential threats as they arose. We operated in a joint campaign, together with the United States military, in a synchronized and extraordinary manner. We met all the tasks assigned to us and even went beyond that. Now it is necessary to ensure that these achievements are leveraged for long-term strategic achievement.".
Zamir emphasized: "The fighting in Lebanon continues and will not stop until the security of the northern communities is ensured. The negotiations currently underway are based on the military achievements we have achieved in the campaign. Since October 7, the IDF has been in combat, in an ongoing multi-scene campaign. We continue to be prepared and alert for a return to intense fighting in all sectors - the year 2026 may continue to be a year of fighting on each of the fronts.".
At this point, the Chief of Staff moved on to talk about the pressing need for manpower: "In light of the increasing workload on the IDF in the coming years, the order of the day in the State of Israel is to increase the number of servicemen and fighters, and we will insist on this. All parts of the population must bear the burden, and we must ensure that all servicemen have the ability to fulfill their service. We will do this not at the expense of one another, but with one another.".
Zamir addressed the issue of integrating women: "I say this clearly here too - women are an inseparable part of the IDF and its operational strength. There will be no exclusion of women in the IDF. Their integration is ethical, egalitarian, and constitutes an operational necessity that must be done without bias. We will continue to enable service to a variety of populations, without harming others or coming at their expense - we will do this while preserving the identity and values of the IDF.".
The Chief of Staff did not spare criticism of recent value-based events: "The IDF is the army of the State of Israel - an army with values. Even after more than two and a half years of intense fighting, and against a backdrop of polarized social discourse, the IDF continues to be an example of integration and joint action for one goal - defending the State of Israel. I am aware of my responsibility - to strengthen the security of the state and to preserve the values of the IDF. The non-value-based events we have seen are the product of a long and complex period, but that does not justify them. We must not compromise on our values. Normative expansion may be no less dangerous than operational threats.".
He specifically referred to reports of looting and the use of social media: "The phenomenon of looting, if it exists, is despicable and could tarnish the entire IDF. If there were such incidents, we would investigate them. We would not pass it over on the agenda.".
""I also define here - IDF regular and reserve service members will not use social media as a tool for spreading controversial messages and self-promotion. This is a red line that must not be crossed, and those who cross it will be dealt with disciplinary action. The uniforms we wear are a symbol of the place where we serve and our values - we should not use them without responsibility.".
Zamir concluded his remarks by demanding a break from political discourse: "The story of the IDF and Israeli society is a love story, but it also contains expectations and criticism. We will not allow political discourse within our ranks. The people are watching us and expecting from us. We will not ask what they will say about us - but what is right for the IDF. We will continue to act according to a clear value compass, and we will not allow deviation from the straight path.".
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