Zamir: IDF building strategy around ‘surprise war,’ civilian resilience key to success

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir says the military is building a new strategy centered on the event of a “surprise war,” such as that brought on by the October 7 attack, during the “Leaders on the Home Front” conference, which spotlights the role of civilian resilience and local authorities in enabling the IDF’s operations.

At the event in central Israel, Zamir highlights lessons learned from October 7, saying, “We have made changes to readiness, to orders,” and “addressed operational gaps.” He adds that “there will be no more containment,” and that Israel will not allow “terror organizations or proxies to entrench themselves along our borders.”

The conference is attended by Defense Minister Israel Katz, senior defense officials, emergency and rescue organizations, and heads of local authorities.

Zamir emphasizes the role of local authorities in Israel’s defense, telling heads of local and regional councils, “The most important and essential cornerstone is the local authority: Your ability to function in emergency situations has an impact on our ability in the IDF to function.”

He praises the cooperation between local authorities and the IDF during recent conflicts, including the war with Iran last June, saying, “Your work on the home front enables the IDF to have the quiet it needs to do what must be done, where it must be done.”

Home Front Command chief Maj. Gen. Shai Klepper describes Israel’s civilians as “the strongest in the world.” He adds that “partnership… is how we will be able to save lives.”