🛡️ Holiday readiness and territorial security: The IDF is reinforcing all fronts ahead of Sukkot, continuing measures taken before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Standing army battalions will remain deployed on alert through the holiday period, with brigade headquarters available for activation. Several combat companies will reinforce each sector during Sukkot, with additional companies on standby.
Central Command is receiving reinforcements including Maglan commandos. Most recruits at military training bases will remain on base to provide additional standby forces. The IDF said preparations included coordination among the relevant organizations.
Following Zamir’s directive and operational preparations, the 98th Division headquarters began commanding the Etzion and Judea Brigades. It will conduct joint defensive and offensive operations with the Judea and Samaria Division and their territorial brigades to strengthen security and counter terrorism.
In a separate operation under the Binyamin Brigade, IDF and Border Police forces sealed the home of the terrorist who murdered Netanel Shukron in Sunday’s Neve Tzuf shooting attack. The attacker had been wounded by an IDF tracker and arrested immediately afterward. The sealing followed a confiscation and temporary sealing order signed by the Central Command commander; the demolition process remains to be advanced.
⚓ Naval expansion and defense cooperation: INS Drakon, Israel’s sixth submarine, arrived at Haifa Naval Base from Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems’ shipyard in Kiel, Germany. At its induction, Zamir described the submarine as a major force-buildup achievement that strengthens covert capabilities, range and operational depth, making the Navy an additional long-range strategic arm of the IDF.
Zamir linked the submarine to Israel’s strategic defense relationship with Germany, pointing to Israeli-developed Arrow technology protecting German skies. He emphasized the Navy’s overt and covert wartime operations and the sea’s role as strategic depth and an offensive arena. Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Navy’s participation across combat arenas, including undisclosed missions, would expand significantly.
On Iran, Zamir said the regime had been weakened but had not changed its intentions. He accused Tehran of holding its population hostage, illegally blocking international shipping and striking energy and national infrastructure across the region. He said the IDF remained prepared to operate in every arena as required. Katz described the submarine as a message to those threatening Israel, particularly Tehran, saying: “Distance does not grant immunity, not in the air, not on land, and not at sea.”
Zamir said wartime operations had fundamentally changed Israel’s security reality following the October 7 failure through the elimination of senior enemy figures, extensive strikes, stronger defenses and deterrence, and the capture and clearing of territory used to plan invasions. He claimed longstanding existential threats had been removed, while enemy intentions remained unchanged.
Under the “Hoshen” multi-year plan, the IDF is strengthening intelligence and strike capabilities, integrating advanced technologies and preparing for warfare across multiple fronts and domains. Zamir said prolonged operations, growing threats and the regional and global arms race require an expanded order of battle and advanced platforms to preserve Israel’s qualitative edge.
Separately, Latvian Defense Minister Raivis Melnis met Katz and Defense Ministry Director General Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram to explore broader defense cooperation, particularly air defense. His industry visits included counter-drone technologies and an operational demonstration.
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