IDF Chief Zamir in Gaza Command: We’re Targeting Iran’s Entire Axis, Not Just Hamas
Israel’s top military commander delivered a stark message during a visit to the Southern Command, emphasizing the country’s shift to preemptive strategy against existential threats. His remarks connected the war in Gaza to a broader regional campaign targeting Iran and its terror proxies.
IDF Chief of Staff in Southern Command: “There’s Direct Learning from October 7 – We Don’t Wait; We Prevent Threats”
Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir visited the IDF’s Southern Command on Wednesday, where he conducted a situational assessment alongside Southern Command Chief Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, commanders of maneuvering divisions in Gaza, and senior operational leadership. The visit came as Israel remains deeply engaged in a multi-front war, with threats ranging from Hamas in Gaza to Hezbollah in the north and Iran’s regional axis of terror.
The IDF Chief held a strategic discussion with division commanders and received an updated picture of operational deployment and preparations for continued action in the Gaza Strip. His visit emphasized the IDF’s unwavering focus on dismantling terrorist threats to Israel, especially in light of the trauma of October 7 and the ongoing captivity of Israeli hostages in Gaza.
Speaking to the commanders, Lt. Gen. Zamir said: “We are in a very significant operation to remove an existential threat to the State of Israel. This is the most serious existential threat we face, and that’s where we are now, this is where we are operating. It is the main effort of the IDF.”
Zamir directly linked the broader war against Iran to Israel’s fight against Hamas, stating: “We are damaging their nuclear program; we are targeting the entire value chain of their nuclear project. Now it is clear to you that there is a direct line connecting Iran to the entire axis, from Yemen and across the whole front you know. And it eventually reaches here, it reaches Hamas. Iran is the one arming Hamas, sustaining Hamas, financing Hamas. So the operation we are conducting there will ultimately impact here as well.”
The Chief of Staff emphasized that Israel’s strategy is no longer reactive but proactive: “There is significant and direct learning from the events of October 7, we are not waiting; we are preventing threats. We don’t wait for these events to escalate until it’s too late to respond. That’s what we are doing, against the nuclear project, against the missile project, we are acting, and we are reducing the threat.”
Even amid the broader multi-arena fight, Zamir reiterated the centrality of bringing home the hostages and crushing Hamas’ grip on Gaza: “We never for a moment forget our mission here, the return of our hostages and the defeat of Hamas. We have not forgotten our hostages. This is a moral obligation. We must bring them back, and I believe the actions we are taking there will eventually influence our ability to achieve better conditions for bringing our hostages home.”
In closing, the Chief of Staff praised the bravery and dedication of the soldiers on the ground: “I greatly appreciate what you are doing. I know you are acting here with professionalism under very great risk. Unfortunately, we have paid a very heavy price for this in recent days. You will continue to persevere in your mission. I trust that you will carry it out in the best way possible.”
Zamir’s remarks highlight a clear understanding: terrorist regimes like Iran and its proxies (including Hamas) pose not just regional but existential threats. The IDF’s efforts in Gaza and beyond are not only acts of self-defense but also a necessary campaign to ensure Israel's survival and security in an increasingly volatile and interconnected battlefield.