Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir conducted a situational assessment and security tour of the buffer zone with Syria on Sunday.
OC Northern Command Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin, 210th “Bashan” Division commander Brig. Gen. Yair Peli and other senior officers accompanied Zamir during the visit.
The IDF on Monday highlighted that Zamir met with the commander of the 77th Armored Battalion during the field tour in Syria.
The battalion has been active since the war’s outbreak, engaging in combat during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack in southern Israel, through operations in Gaza, and for the past three months in Syria.
Zamir praised its members’ professionalism, courage and determination, saying that their actions would be remembered in IDF history.
Meanwhile, IDF Comptroller Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Sarig launched inspections on Sunday morning to evaluate the readiness, discipline and operational routine of the Northern Command. The assessments come amid ongoing regional tensions and efforts to maintain high operational standards in the sector, according to the military.
Also on Sunday, Zamir launched an unannounced military drill, “Zodiac Wheel,” to evaluate preparedness for base and outpost intrusions.
The exercise, managed by the IDF Operations Directorate, simulates a multi-directional attack on the Ramat David Airbase in the Jezreel Valley.
Zamir became the IDF’s 24th chief of staff on March 5. Speaking at IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, Zamir said: “The mission is clear: to lead the IDF to victory. Hamas has not yet been defeated.”
He pledged to prioritize the return of all the hostages being held by terrorists in Gaza, saying, “We must bring our people home, by any means necessary.” He affirmed his commitment to defending Israel and uniting its citizens.
“The Jewish people are the people of the book, the people of the Torah—but also of action. I call on all parts of Israeli society to participate in the commandment of defending the homeland,” Zamir said.
He replaced Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, who resigned citing his personal responsibility for the military’s failures surrounding the Oct. 7, 2023, mass terror attack in southern Israel.