The Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, visited the Eastern front today (Wednesday), at Division 96, accompanied by the Commander of the Central Command, Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, the Head of the Manpower Directorate, Maj. Gen. Dadi Bar-Kalifa, the Commander of the Ground Forces, Maj. Gen. Nadav Lotan, the Head of the Technology and Logistics Directorate, Maj. Gen. Rami Abudraham, the Head of the Border and Seam Administration in the Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. Eran Ofir, the Commander of Division 96, Brig. Gen. Oren Simcha, the Eastern Sector Project Manager in the Ministry of Defense, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Mordechai Benita, and additional commanders.
As part of the visit, the Chief of Staff toured outposts along the Jordan border and the barrier currently being built in the division’s area. He also held a situation assessment with the commanders regarding the operational challenges in the sector and gave directives for implementing the defense concept and strengthening operational readiness. The Chief of Staff emphasized to the commanders their mission to strictly maintain law and order and to protect the security of all populations living in the sector.
The Chief of Staff met with the head of the Jordan Valley Regional Council, David Alhayani, and expressed his appreciation for the cooperation between the Central Command and the division’s forces in the Jordan Valley, and the council and residents, in strengthening security and settlement in the area.
The Chief of Staff met with the female combat soldiers of the new reconnaissance battalion (909) and expressed his appreciation for their significant military service.
In addition, the Chief of Staff visited the ‘Halutzim’ program, a pre-military leadership program in the Jordan Valley, in the area of the old Kibbutz Beit Ha’arava, and spoke with the trainees.
“Division 96 is a tangible example of implementing the lessons of October 7th in the field,” said the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. “The IDF is strengthening its defense concept by enhancing defensive and offensive capabilities on the borders – including the division preparing in a forward outpost line facing the communities and improving intelligence and lethality capabilities.”
“The Eastern front is a significant arena for our security, of paramount strategic importance. Our mission is to maintain stability in the sector, thwart terror threats, and simultaneously prepare for a variety of scenarios. Alongside the demand for intelligence alerts, the basic readiness of the IDF forces must be prepared for rapid change and surprise. In every sector, we must maintain high vigilance, anticipate threats, and ensure the defense of the borders and civilians.”
“The Jordan Valley holds historical, Zionist, and security importance – it is the eastern defense line of the State of Israel, and control over it is a vital component of our national security and strategic depth,” added the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. “Security relies not only on fortifications and military forces, but also on strength of spirit, strong settlement, thriving agriculture, and citizens who deepen their roots in this land. The synergy between the military, civilian, and settlement systems is a necessary condition for strengthening the area.”
