Chief of Staff visits the north: "We will not allow Hezbollah to rearm"

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir visited the 91st Division in the north and clarified that the IDF will continue to operate to prevent Hezbollah's rehabilitation, demilitarize the area south of the Litani, and prevent the establishment of terrorist infrastructure. Zamir said the campaign is not yet over and challenges still lie ahead.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir visited the 91st Division in the Northern Command today (Wednesday) and held an operational situation assessment in the sector. During the visit, he examined the forces' readiness and approved the principles of the defense concept in the area. Zamir said that the 91st Division is at the forefront of defending the northern communities and that the IDF is currently operating from forward defense zones, including deep in enemy territory beyond the border. According to him, the forces continue to operate to thwart threats and strengthen the defense of residents. "The campaign is not yet over, and the challenges still lie ahead," said the Chief of Staff. He added that the IDF has achieved significant gains against Hezbollah, but clarified that the goal now is to prevent the organization from recovering and re-establishing itself in southern Lebanon. According to Zamir, "the IDF is determined to demilitarize the area south of the Litani from Hezbollah's presence, alongside advancing the ongoing overarching goal of disarming the terrorist organization." He added that the goal cannot be advanced through an agreement with the Lebanese government as long as the Lebanese army does not significantly improve its effectiveness on the ground. The Chief of Staff emphasized that Israel will not allow Hezbollah to rearm, restore its capabilities, or re-establish terrorist infrastructure in the area. During the visit, the Chief of Staff was also presented with robotic capabilities and advanced weaponry of the reconnaissance fighters, the Yahalom unit, and reserve personnel in the division. Zamir said that in the coming months, the IDF is expected to inaugurate a robotics branch that will develop capabilities in the air, sea, and land.