IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir conducted an operational situational assessment at Central Command on Wednesday, announcing the reinforcement of forces across Judea and Samaria with the elite 98th Division. Alongside stern warnings regarding potential escalation and a sharp increase in security intelligence alerts, Zamir included an unusual admonition condemning “harm and violence toward innocents” in the context of the ongoing olive harvest.
1+Central Command Chief Maj. attended the high-level briefing. Gen. Avi Bluth, Judea and Samaria Division Commander Brig. Gen. Kobi Heller, 98th Division Commander Brig. Gen. Mani Liberty, and 96th Division Commander Brig. Gen. Oren Simcha, alongside brigade and battalion commanders and representatives from the Shin Bet and Border Police. The commanders conducted an operational observation within the Judea Brigade sector, reviewing field challenges and assigned division missions.
Zamir approved ongoing operational blueprints, stressing the need to preempt terrorism and preserve operational freedom of action. “In light of mounting alerts across all arenas and the sensitivity of this period, the potential for escalation has grown,” the Chief of Staff stated. “We have reinforced our forces and elevated readiness, and we continue preparing for any scenario where adversaries attempt to surprise us. The IDF maintains high readiness to transition to broad offensive operations against any actor seeking to harm Israeli citizens.”
1+The Hint Left Unsaid
Immediately following the operational security warnings, Zamir shifted focus to address violence against civilians and the olive harvest. While he did not explicitly mention Israeli residents of Judea and Samaria or single out a specific incident, the context was widely seen as an unmistakable insinuation toward local Jewish communities.
The remarks sparked immediate criticism over their selective framing, as the segment concerning the olive harvest omitted parallel references to Palestinian terrorism or the physical security threats confronting Israeli residents—even though the core of the situational assessment focused on interdicting attacks and safeguarding Israeli citizens.
Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit
“Harm and violence toward innocents do not reflect the Israeli spirit or the Jewish spirit—they must be denounced and eradicated using all tools available to the State of Israel,” Zamir said. “We are in the midst of the olive harvest season. The IDF will continue to operate to enable the harvest to proceed, while maintaining public order and ensuring the security of all populations in the sector.”
Concluding his remarks, the Chief of Staff commended the commanders and combatants of the 98th Division, 96th Division, and Judea and Samaria Division. He particularly highlighted the 98th Division’s critical role in operational missions to rescue hostages and expressed full confidence in the troops’ ability to execute their operational mandates.