Israel now acts early to stop threats from Tehran and its terror proxies, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said.
The Israel Defense Forces is taking a proactive and preventive approach in its operations against Iran and its regional proxies, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told senior Southern Command officers on Wednesday.
“Important and direct lessons were learned from the events of Oct. 7—we are not waiting. We are preventing threats. We are not waiting for those threats to materialize to the point where it is too late to address them,” Zamir emphasized during the situational assessment.
This shift in doctrine is guiding Israel’s current campaign to neutralize existential threats, particularly those emanating from Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, he said. Zamir highlighted the direct connection between Iran and its regional proxies, underscoring the need for decisive action across all fronts.
“It is now clear to all of you that there is a direct line connecting Iran to the entire axis. Striking Iran means striking the axis—from Yemen to every front you are aware of. And in the end, it reaches close here; it reaches Hamas,” he said.
Zamir continued, “Iran is behind arming Hamas, sustaining Hamas, and financing Hamas. That’s why the operation we are conducting in Iran directly affects the situation here as well.”
He called Iran “the most serious existential threat we face. It is where we are now operating, and it is where we are focusing the IDF’s efforts.” Zamir noted that the military is actively targeting Iran’s strategic capabilities to prevent future attacks and escalation.
Zamir reiterated the dual mission in Gaza—to defeat Hamas and secure the return of hostages—while commending commanders for their professionalism and urging continued dedication despite the heavy toll of recent operations. The chief of staff concluded by affirming that the current proactive strategy is a direct result of the painful lessons of Oct. 7, 2023, aimed at ensuring Israel is never again caught off guard.
The operation being conducted in Iran “will ultimately influence our ability to achieve better conditions to secure the return of our hostages,” he said.
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