IDF Chief Says Iran Strike Was Only Preparation for a Much Heavier Blow

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir issued a direct threat to Iran today, Tuesday, during a visit to commanders' training exercises in northern Israel, and made clear that the IDF is prepared to expand its operational activity. "The Iranian attempt to set equations and change reality will fail," he said, adding, "The strike we carried out was preparation for a much more significant and heavier blow. We are ready to return and inflict another deep and severe strike on Iran."

Lt. Gen. Zamir visited the exercise as part of "Series of Fire," which is currently taking place under the leadership of the National Ground Training Center (MLI), as part of the training of future battalion and company commanders. Accompanying the visit were Ground Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Nadav Lotan, MLI Commander Brig. Gen. Eliad Moati, the commander of the 38th Division, and Operations Directorate head Brig. Gen. Sharon Altit.

In his remarks to the commanders, the chief of staff referred to the IDF's level of readiness and said, "The IDF has maintained, and continues to maintain, immediate readiness and alertness to return to fighting in Iran. All of our defense and offensive systems were alert and ready. We intercepted the threats launched at us and attacked in Iran quickly and forcefully."

Zamir stressed that the fighting against Iran's proxies continues. "We will continue to act and intensify the damage to Hezbollah and defend the communities of the north," he said. "The IDF is alert and will act forcefully anywhere we identify a threat to the citizens of Israel."

He detailed that IDF forces continue to strike in the forward defense line area in southern Lebanon, and are operating in several areas to destroy terrorist infrastructure, including a significant underground infrastructure in the Beaufort area, which Hezbollah used as a fire base and a command center for managing the fighting.

Meanwhile, the Saudi channel Al Hadath reported, citing sources, that the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament informed the American ambassador that the "Shiite duo", Amal and Hezbollah, is ready for a comprehensive ceasefire. It was also reported that Hezbollah does not oppose a withdrawal from south of the Litani under the principle of "point for point." The sources added that "security arrangements can be implemented immediately once the ceasefire in Lebanon stabilizes." It was further claimed that the atmosphere in Washington supports completing understandings between Lebanon and Israel during the next stage. The Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament is insisting on a comprehensive ceasefire before any path to implementation on the ground.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the escalation with Iran, which erupted after the strike in Beirut earlier this week: "At the moment, the fire on the Iran front is contained, because after the blow to the terror regime in Tehran, it stopped attacking us. If it resumes, we will respond forcefully." According to him, Iran and Hezbollah are weaker than ever, and we are stronger than ever. "Our struggle is still not over," he said. He also clarified that "in the past 24 hours, Iran and Hezbollah tried to impose on us a new and intolerable equation, which we do not accept."