During a surprise visit to troops at the westernmost point of the so-called Netzarim Corridor, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir made it unequivocally clear: while the military phase has been temporarily adjusted, there is no definitive end to the operation. “The operation is not over. We must remain vigilant and ready to fight at all times,” Zamir said during the exercise and subsequent briefing with soldiers and commanders.
Zamir explained that there is “no ceasefire, but a change in the operational situation” as the political leadership seeks to translate military successes into political outcomes. If this political process fails, the army will go back on the offensive. At the same time, he emphasized that the IDF will continue its mission while prioritizing the protection of soldiers’ lives.
During the unannounced maneuver, the unit simulated an attack on a forward command post and conducted operational procedures under real-world conditions. Zamir made it clear that even after potential agreements, the army will retain operational control over forward areas to maintain readiness and rapid response capability.
A particular focus of his remarks was the issue of reservists: Zamir praised their service over the past two years and promised enhanced support for reserve units and their families. He also described the potential release of the remaining 48 hostages as a “significant success” and one of the central goals of this war: “We hope to soon see all 48 hostages back home; this is a moral, ethical, and national imperative.”
“Two years ago, we experienced the most traumatic event in our history. We will not return to the days before October 7,” Zamir said. “We are changing the reality in the Middle East—across all operational arenas. We will not tolerate threats. We are on the offensive, eliminating our enemies wherever they form.”
The visit was attended by, among others, the Commander of the Southern Command, Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor; the Head of the Technology and Logistics Directorate, Maj.-Gen. Rami Abudraham; the Commander of the 99th Division, Brig.-Gen. Yoav Bruner; and commanders of the 10th and 11th Reserve Brigades. The presence of senior leadership on-site sends a clear signal: military readiness and political negotiations are running in parallel—and both remain closely intertwined.
The message from Gaza is twofold: internally, it aims to convey to the troops the need to stay disciplined and prepared; externally, it serves as a warning to Hamas—and to those who seek to rush a political solution. The army explicitly reserves the option to return to a new offensive if the political solution does not sufficiently safeguard Israel’s security interests.
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