From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
IDF chief says army must prepare for multi-arena wars: ‘Campaign against Iran isn’t over’
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleStav Levaton is a military reporter for The Times of Israel
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warns that the military must be prepared for a prolonged, multi-arena campaign amid a “complex and challenging” security situation, as fighting rages in Gaza and tensions simmer across Israel’s borders.
In a rare multi-front situational assessment held yesterday — the first of its kind in nearly two years — Zamir and top generals reviewed the operational, intelligence, and strategic picture across all fronts.
“The IDF must operate offensively across multiple arenas alongside vital defense in each sector and along our borders,” Zamir says. “We will continue preserving air superiority and advancing the intelligence effort.”
Describing the Gaza war as “one of the most complex” the IDF has ever faced, Zamir lauds the military’s achievements while acknowledging the conflict’s heavy toll, referencing the recent spike in soldier deaths in the Strip.
He also underscores the need for continued operations in the West Bank, against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and against Iranian targets in Syria.
“Iran and its axis remain in our sights — the campaign against Iran isn’t over,” Zamir says, adding that 2026 would be a year focused on preparedness, restoring capabilities, and seizing operational opportunities.
The Times of Israel Community.