IDF chief says military victory depends on good cooperation with political leadership

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir says that “victory on the battlefield” does not only require military strength, but also cooperation between the army and the political leadership.

The remarks come after Zamir reportedly objected to the government’s plans to capture Gaza City (although he has since green-lit them), and after a public clash with Defense Minister Israel Katz over the IDF chief’s decision to make senior appointments.

“At any time, but especially during wartime, the connection between the political echelon and the military echelon is a central axis for national security,” Zamir says at a handover ceremony for the head of the IDF’s Military Colleges.

“Mutual trust and full cooperation are the key to success. Victory on the battlefield does not depend only on military strength, but also on inter-echelon cohesion. Only in this way will we ensure victory, and also the resilience of the state on the day after,” he says.

Zamir says that the IDF’s offensive in Gaza “will lead to the collapse of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities” and that “the campaign will end when we can ensure our security and our future.”

At the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Dan Noyman takes over as head of the Military Colleges from Maj. Gen. Nimrod Aloni, who has been in the role for the past two years.

Aloni also heads the Depth Corps, which will be handed over to Maj. Gen. Dan Goldfus at a later date.

Aloni is set to retire from the IDF after 37 years of service.