Meeting troops in Gaza, IDF chief says Israel needs ‘broad defense margins’

By Emanuel Fabian

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11 June 2025, 5:16 pm

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Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir speaks with officers in the northern Gaza Strip, June 11, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir met with troops in the Gaza Strip today, telling them of plans he recently approved to expand several units and change the military’s structure.

“This week, I approved a broad plan for force build-up, the structure and organization of the IDF, including the establishment of an additional division, a tank brigade, an infantry brigade, and other frameworks,” Zamir says.

“The State of Israel cannot exist on the basis of a minimal force, but rather needs broad defense margins. In addition, more standing army and reserve forces will ease the burden on reservists,” he adds.