The Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, toured today (Sunday) the area of the village of Ras Biyada, the northernmost point in southern Lebanon where IDF forces are currently operating.
As part of his visit, the Chief of Staff held a situation assessment and commanders’ discussion together with the Commander of the Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo, the Commander of Division 146, Brig. Gen. Beni Aaron, the Commander of Brigade 226, Col. A., and additional commanders.
The Chief of Staff expressed his appreciation to Division 146, to the fighters and commanders of Brigade 226, and praised them for their actions and for the creativity, tactics, and fighting spirit demonstrated in carrying out the mission.
The Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, in a commanders’ discussion: “The IDF is inflicting severe, extensive, and multi-arena damage on the Hezbollah terrorist organization. This includes its operatives, command and control, terrorist infrastructure, military capabilities, weaponry, and economic capabilities, among others. Hezbollah has over 1,000 terrorists eliminated, and the number will continue to rise. The damage to Hezbollah will only intensify.”
“Every terrorist target and every target that aids terror from Lebanese territory will be attacked. The entire area south of the Litani River has become a zone of destruction where the forces of the Northern Command and the Air Force are systematically striking Hezbollah terrorists – until it is ensured that the entire area up to the Litani River is cleared and demilitarized of threats to Israel and the residents of the North. We evacuated the residents of southern Lebanon for their protection and to allow freedom of military operational maneuver.”
“Regarding the war aims in Lebanon at this time – the IDF is establishing a forward defensive line to strengthen defense and distance the threat from the northern communities – we will remain on this line for as long as necessary!”
“The IDF is working to suppress and reduce the firing of rockets from Lebanon. This will take time, but we will continue and deepen the strikes. The IDF is deepening the strikes that began in Operation ‘Northern Arrows’ and will continue to severely damage the Hezbollah terrorist organization. Alongside all of this, we will maintain operational freedom of action throughout Lebanon.”
“The objective of disarming Hezbollah is defined as a primary objective – it is an ongoing objective that existed before the current campaign – the current campaign will advance it. As defined, we will advance it based on the IDF’s operational achievements and through actions led by the political echelon, while preserving military operational freedom to remove threats.”
“We mourn the fall of our soldiers in the campaign and will investigate each of the incidents in which they fell. They fell in the campaign for the defense of our country and for ensuring the security of the residents and communities of the North.”