IDF Chief of Staff: We Can Take Gaza City, Just As We Took Rafah

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir conducted a situational assessment today (Monday) of the IDF's combat readiness, where he spoke on the IDF's new mission to occupy Gaza City, as instructed by the cabinet:

"We must learn from the lessons of the past, constantly check our readiness, and from there improve, strengthen, and advance toward significant strategic planning and force building. Alongside this, the working assumption is that we are in a prolonged war. The year 2026 will be a year of shaping and maximizing achievements, increasing readiness, returning to basics, and exploiting operational opportunities.

"Since October 7th, the IDF has proven itself as a high-quality army with multi-arena combat capability. The IDF's successes have changed the face of the Middle East, strengthened national security, and created regional opportunities that must be exploited. The IDF is fighting in multiple active arenas; we must maintain high fitness and readiness at every moment and for every arena.

"The IDF is required to return to basics in aspects of procedures, standby status, training, and planning and force building processes, while addressing the different arenas and their characteristics differentially. We are required to strengthen and expand the IDF through establishing new frameworks and reinforcing existing ones. All this must be based on war lessons alongside a forward-looking perspective - operationally and technologically. We must continue to educate the material as well - reserves, platforms, and means. And especially the spirit and resilience of the people, who are the center of our activity and attention.

"In accordance with the Cabinet decision, we are at the beginning of a new phase in the fighting in Gaza. We will build the best system, according to the defined objectives, while maintaining professionalism and the principles by which we operate. We will do this according to the fitness of forces and combat means, with the hostages before our eyes - we will do everything to preserve their lives and return them.

"The alternatives presented to the Cabinet - all are designed to defeat Hamas, while understanding the implications in all aspects. The IDF will know how to conquer Gaza City, just as it knew how to conquer Khan Yunis and Rafah. Our forces maneuvered there in the past; we will know how to do it again.

"We must allow breathing room for IDF personnel in regular and reserve service, create pauses that enable continued maneuvering in the Gaza Strip in the most efficient and optimal way alongside preserving strength for the future. The next situation assessment will deal only with personnel.

"We are still at war, within which we are conducting force building processes. This is an unprecedented situation. We must be prepared for escalation of the campaign. I have tremendous appreciation for our people, in regular, permanent, and reserve service. I meet them everywhere and see the fighting spirit and determination. It's worth noting the maintenance personnel and combat support personnel in all branches, who work wonders in enabling the fighting - they deserve all praise. The war's achievements are thanks to them."