IDF chief: Campaign at ‘halfway’ stage; Iran’s missile fire at Diego Garcia shows ‘Berlin, Paris, Rome all within range’

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir says that the military is about halfway through its campaign against Iran.

“We are halfway through, but the direction is clear. In about a week, on Passover, the holiday of freedom, we will continue to fight for our freedom and our future,” he says in a video statement.

Zamir says that the “extensive damage we have caused to the Iranian regime over the past three weeks is beginning to accumulate into a systemic-strategic, military, economic, and governmental achievement.”

“As a result, the regime of evil is weaker, and Iran is more exposed and without significant defense capabilities. The leaders of the regime, who developed capabilities with the goal of destroying us, are battered and confused,” he says.

Zamir also comments on Iran’s long-range ballistic missile attack on the UK-US Indian Ocean military base at Diego Garcia.

“Just yesterday, Iran launched a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 4,000 kilometers [2,500 miles] toward an American target on the island of Diego Garcia. These missiles were not intended to hit Israel. Their range reaches the capitals of Europe — Berlin, Paris, and Rome are all within direct threat range,” he says.

Zamir in his statement says he also approved new battle plans for the fighting against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“Our forces will stand as a buffer between the enemy and the communities, and any target that poses a threat to them will be removed,” he adds.