The Israel Defense Forces released remarks by Chief of Staff Major General Eyal Zamir at the opening of a situation assessment on July 2, 2026, marking 1,000 days since the outbreak of what he called “the longest war in our history.”

We mark today 1,000 days since the outbreak of the longest war in our history. A war that began with failure and the terrible disaster in the history of the State of Israel. From the disaster we rose, recovered and led a campaign that brought unprecedented achievements in the state's history. Yesterday I participated in the state ceremony marking 20 years since the Second Lebanon War. These dates are indeed symbolic milestones, but they are very significant for memory, learning and drawing lessons.

Zamir stated that Iran continues to be the central focus for preparedness. He described an interim period across all theaters of combat, noting that each remains active at varying levels of intensity, with formative processes underway and interconnected risks where any action in one theater may affect another.

In every sector we need to continue being alert and prepared for rapid escalation and immediate return to combat to deepen our achievements and for victory.

Alongside ongoing alertness and threat interdiction, the Chief of Staff stressed the need to use the coming period to reduce attrition, care for personnel, and improve operational readiness. He credited the achievements of the multi-theater campaign to the determination and sacrifice of Israel’s defenders, singling out frontline fighters, commanders in regular, career, and reserve service, and all supporting IDF systems as the state’s most important resource.

It is proper and right that they be first in priorities to receive the state's appreciation in decisions and resources while caring for them, their families and their future.