IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir: Troop Reduction Trend Halted

Chief of Staff Major General Eyal Zamir, accompanied by Commander of the Ground Forces Major General Nadav Lotan and other commanders, visited exercises of the new 38th Division. During the visit, army leadership assessed the troops' readiness for operational tasks. Zamir addressed the soldiers, emphasizing the importance of historical lessons, stating, "The lesson we must all draw from both wars is that the scenario of surprise must concern us all; the IDF must always be ready for a sudden war." He noted that the army is analyzing past failures to prevent their recurrence. Zamir also addressed the size of the armed forces in light of regional changes, announcing, "Over the past twenty years, we have reduced the size of the Israel Defense Forces, but this trend has stopped." He explained that expanding tasks necessitates increasing personnel, as army size directly impacts Israel's strategic security. The new 38th Division is already transitioning to operational tasks and will be transformed into a flexible tactical reserve division capable of operating in various conditions within the next year. Zamir concluded by thanking reservists for their long-term service and dedication.