'We will strike a decisive blow' - New IDF Chief Zamir vows victory, calls return of hostages a 'moral duty'

The new Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir has vowed to achieve an Israeli military victory over its enemies despite many existing challenges. 

“Enemies near and far have sought to destroy us. They mistakenly believed that our spirit was weak and our ranks were fractured,” Zamir wrote in his first official order to IDF soldiers. 

He openly admitted that the Israeli military failed to protect the Israeli border communities during the Hamas Oct. 7 attack. 

“The Israel Defense Forces did not fulfill its mission on October 7. We will not hide it, nor will we cover it up,” Zamir pledged. “The cries of our brothers and sisters, who fought for their lives, will forever remain a scar in our hearts,” he continued. 

Looking ahead in the post-Oct. 7 era, the IDF chief vowed to secure an Israeli victory against the Iranian-led terrorist alliance consisting of proxies such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. 

“From the depths, filled with courage – our people rose, our army stood up, you stood up and struck back. From here, our focus is set in one direction – victory and the defeat of the enemy! This is our mission, this is our purpose. Against our enemies who sought to destroy us, who slaughtered and raped, who burned and kidnapped – we will strike a decisive blow!” Zamir vowed, adding, “We will not rest until our brothers return from the tunnels of captivity – this is our moral duty.”

In the order, the new IDF chief made it clear that he has high expectations of the Israel Defense Forces.

“I will set high expectations for you, but at the same time, I will stand resolutely behind each and every one of you and provide you with the tools to win,” Zamir wrote. “You have achieved tremendous accomplishments, yet many challenges still lie ahead. There will be difficult days, but better days await us as well. A remarkable nation, torn between tears and hope, looks to us. Our actions will speak!”

The new IDF chief of staff has also made it clear that the hostages are a top priority, telling the hostage families that everyone must be brought home.

 “Your loved ones are in front of my eyes. Our moral duty is clear; Bring everyone back home, in any way possible and as quickly as possible,” Zamir told them. 

Zamir was sworn in as the 24th Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Wednesday at the Defense Headquarters in Tel Aviv, following his promotion to lieutenant-general during a command changeover ceremony led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Zamir was appointed to replace outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, who resigned from his position over the IDF’s failure to prevent the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas massacre. 

Zamir is expected to visit residents of the Gaza border area during his first day of service as chief of staff. In the two weeks leading up to his swearing-in ceremony, Eyal Zamir visited Jenin, in Judea and Samaria, and toured the Gaza Strip, and Lebanon, where he met with senior IDF officers to discuss and prepare for present and future military operations.