IDF Chief of Staff: “Prepare for a Prolonged Campaign - We Have Entered the Most Complex War in Israel’s History"

According to Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Israel has destroyed approximately half of Iran’s missile launchers and inflicted deep damage on key components of its nuclear program.

“We surprised the enemy, even though it was on high alert,” said Zamir who warned: “Challenging days lie ahead, and we must remain alert and united.”

Zamir addressed the public this evening with the following statement:

“Thanks to a powerful and unexpected opening strike, we’ve achieved extraordinary results: We eliminated the senior command echelon of the enemy, struck deep into the nuclear program, broke through an aerial corridor to Tehran, identified and destroyed nearly half of Iran’s missile launchers - some just minutes before launch - and we surprised the enemy even though it was prepared.”

He stated that Israel went to war at a time when Iran possessed 2,500 surface-to-surface missiles. According to defense estimates, if production continued at the same pace, that number could have reached 8,000 within two years.

“This development, in combination with Iran’s nuclear ambitions,” said Zamir, “left us no choice but to strike and deliver a preemptive blow. The IDF will not sit idly by while threats develop.”

Zamir added:

"The decision to launch the operation was made possible by the convergence of operational and strategic conditions, some of which were temporary. Had we hesitated, we would have risked losing those conditions and entering a future campaign at a significant disadvantage. Therefore, we understood that history would not forgive us if we failed to act now to defend the existence of the Jewish people in the State of Israel.”

He further emphasized that this is

“the most complex campaign in our history.”

“The campaign is not over. While we’ve reached important achievements, more challenging days lie ahead. We must remain vigilant and united.”

The Chief of Staff also stressed the need for

“preparedness for a prolonged campaign.”

He praised the Israeli civilian front during the war, stating:

“In its weakness, the enemy deliberately targets civilians - as we’ve experienced again in the latest barrage. Our enemies don’t understand that the Israeli home front is the source of the IDF’s strength, not its weakness.”