Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir toured southern Lebanon today (Wednesday) along with Northern Command Commander Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo, Head of the Technology and Logistics Division Maj. Gen. Rami Abudraham, Northern Corps Commander Maj. Gen. Yaki Dolf, 162nd Division Commander Maj. Gen. Sagiv Dahan, Nahal Brigade Commander, 401st Brigade Commander, 5th Reserve Brigade Commander, 215th Brigade Commander, and other commanders.
As part of the visit, the Chief of Staff observed and assessed the situation on the ground, spoke with the commanders, and expressed his appreciation for the fighters operating in southern Lebanon.
Zamir: "Yesterday I approved plans for the continuation, together with the General Staff Forum. We continue to conduct ongoing situation assessments and approve plans in both Lebanon and Iran.
In joint action with the US military, we severely damaged the Iranian terrorist regime, stripped them of their defensive capabilities and weakened them. Now they must not be allowed to achieve anything on the nuclear issue, in Hormuz, and on the other issues at hand. We are on very high alert, the Air Force planes are armed and ready, and the targets are fed into the systems - we know how to launch them into a powerful attack immediately.
In Lebanon, we are hitting Hezbollah in a multi-focal manner. Hezbollah, with more than 1,700 dead since the beginning of the campaign, is a severe blow to the terrorist organization.
At this time, we are continuing the operation in Bint Jbeil by forces of Division 98, and working to clear the terrorist villages in the Beit Lef area by forces of Division 162. In addition to them, forces from three other divisions are stabilizing the front defense line as defined. I have instructed that the entire area in southern Lebanon up to the Litani line will become a destruction zone for Hezbollah terrorists.
Great appreciation to the forces of the 162nd Division. Together with the Northern Command, you are achieving significant operational achievements. We are advancing, striking Hezbollah, and they are retreating. Hezbollah is weakened and isolated in Lebanon.
When you look back, you see Hanita, Zerait, and Shlomi - we are fighting for them and to allow them long-term peace and security.
"There are extraordinary displays of heroism here. We are paying heavy prices, but we understand that this is our mission and we are moving forward. We will continue to strike Hezbollah terrorists and destroy terrorist infrastructures.".
