The Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, held a situation assessment and operational review today (Wednesday) at the Central Command, together with the Commander of the Central Command, Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, the Commander of the Judea and Samaria Division, Brig. Gen. Kobi Heller, the Commander of the 98th Division, Brig. Gen. Meni Liberty, the Commander of the 96th Division, Brig. Gen. Oren Simcha, and the commanders of the brigades and battalions in the Central Command, commanders in the Shin Bet, and the Judea and Samaria Border Police.
During the visit, the commanders observed the Judea Brigade area, reviewed the operational challenges in the sector and the missions of the divisions operating in Judea and Samaria. The Chief of Staff also approved plans for the continuation of operational activity in the sector and emphasized the importance of thwarting terrorism and maintaining stability in the Judea and Samaria sector.
From the words of the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir: “In light of the numerous alerts in all arenas and the sensitivity of the period, the potential for escalation has increased. In order to enable better operational control in the field, we have reinforced the forces in all sectors, including deploying the 98th Division to the area to strengthen security and stability in the sector.”
“We have reinforced the forces and raised the level of readiness, and we continue to prepare for a situation where they will try to surprise us. In this sensitive period, we must maintain vigilance and readiness in every arena, preserve freedom of operation, and thwart threats quickly. We are pursuing and fighting terrorism everywhere. The IDF is at a high level of readiness to move to broad offensive operations against any entity that tries to harm Israeli civilians.”
“Violence and harm against innocent people do not reflect the Israeli and Jewish spirit – they must be condemned and eradicated with all the tools available to the State of Israel. We are in the olive harvest season. The IDF will continue to operate to enable the olive harvest, while maintaining public order and the security of all populations in the area.”
“These days we mark one year since Operation ‘Returning to Our Borders’. Throughout the war, the mission to return the hostages, the living and the fallen alike, was the compass that guided us. The 98th Division took a significant part in the operations to return hostages and acted with determination and dedication until the return of the last hostage.”
“Great appreciation to the commanders and soldiers of the 98th Division, the 96th Division, and the Judea and Samaria Division. You all acted with dedication and professionalism throughout the war and achieved many accomplishments. I trust you to continue to perform your missions with excellence.”
