The IDF has been ordered into a heightened state of readiness ahead of the chag period, with plans announced to deploy additional forces to the West Bank.
IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir confirmed the measures on Thursday during a multi-front security assessment, citing tensions in the West Bank and continuing threats stretching from Iran to Gaza and Lebanon.
“Many challenges are ahead of us,” Zamir said. “We are advancing operational procedures across all fronts, from Iran to Lebanon to Gaza, and remain on high alert in accordance with the sensitive multi-front situation.”
Zamir ordered an additional division headquarters to raise its readiness to reinforce troops in the West Bank, while units and battalions were instructed to prepare for possible immediate deployment to the area.
The military will maintain its troop levels throughout the holiday period, he said.
“The IDF, across all of its arrays, will maintain full, multi-front readiness throughout the holiday period – there will be no reduction in operational forces.”
Zamir also used the assessment to issue a warning over the military’s budget, saying funding shortages risked damaging Israel’s preparedness at a time when troops remain active on several fronts.
“In a time when the IDF and its personnel are operating on all fronts, we must deal with a lack of funds,” he said. “Such a situation harms the IDF’s readiness.”
The warning comes as the military continues operations in Gaza while monitoring threats from Iran and Lebanon and confronting heightened tensions in the West Bank.
Zamir said security considerations would remain the military’s priority.
“We are defending the security of the State of Israel – this is the only consideration guiding us,” he said. “We will not be drawn into issues that could divert our focus and undermine our readiness.”
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