Zamir said Israeli forces are positioned for rapid escalation if required.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
Even as speculation grows over a possible truce in Lebanon and an extension of the Iran ceasefire, IDF Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir said Wednesday that Israeli forces remain prepared to engage in both arenas.
Zamir made the remarks during a visit to the 162nd Division in southern Lebanon, where he said operational planning is continuing on multiple fronts.
“Yesterday I approved further plans together with the General Staff Forum,” Zamir said. “We continue to conduct ongoing situational assessments and approve plans, both in Lebanon and in Iran.”
He pointed to recent joint activity with Washington, saying, “In a joint operation with the United States military, we struck the Iranian terror regime severely, stripping it of its defensive capabilities and weakening it.”
He added, “We must not allow it to achieve gains on the nuclear front, in the Strait of Hormuz, or in other matters on the agenda.”
Zamir said Israeli forces are positioned for rapid escalation if required. “We are in a very high state of readiness. Air Force aircraft are armed and prepared, and targets are loaded into the systems—we know how to command them for a powerful strike immediately.”
On Wednesday, a senior Iranian regime official told a Lebanese outlet that an emerging arrangement was reached under Iranian pressure and would coincide with a ceasefire involving Tehran.
Reports indicate the effort is intended to provide Iran with a diplomatic achievement ahead of another round of talks, though officials in Jerusalem reject claims that a deal is imminent.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the situation in a recorded statement, saying: “Our forces continue to strike Hezbollah. The fighting is focused in Bint Jbeil. Bint Jbeil was Hezbollah’s capital in southern Lebanon. This is the place where Hassan Nasrallah said 26 years ago: ‘The Israelis are a spider’s web.’
“We are about to decide Bint Jbeil—we are essentially going to eliminate this major Hezbollah stronghold.”
He also pointed to talks underway in Washington with Lebanon, saying: “These negotiations did not take place for more than 40 years. They are happening now because we are very strong, and countries are coming to us—not just Lebanon. In negotiations with Lebanon, there are two main objectives: one is the disarmament of Hezbollah, and the second is a sustainable peace. Peace through strength.”
