By SCM Staff Writer I Monday, 06, 2025
JERUSALEM — The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has escalated its readiness to the highest level across all units, effective immediately and lasting throughout the upcoming Sukkot holiday, the military announced following a high-level security consultation this morning.
Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, convened a situational assessment with the General Staff Forum on Monday ahead of the holiday. At the meeting’s conclusion, he directed the significant increase in the IDF’s preparedness, designating the defensive effort as the main operational focus until the end of the holiday period.
The move, while aimed at ensuring the security of Israeli citizens during the festive season, comes with an emphasis on rapid preparedness and sharpened integration across all operational arenas.
LTG Zamir issued a series of specific directives to all commands:
Pre-Holiday Exercises: All units are instructed to conduct exercises, including command post and defensive position-related briefings, prior to the start of Sukkot.
Mission Focus: Troops are to focus sharply on their primary missions, with a stress on integrating reinforcements across all regional commands.
Air Force Alert: The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has been placed on rapid readiness and high alert for both defensive and offensive operations in all arenas, with a particular emphasis directed toward the Gaza Strip.
Event Security: There will be a reinforcing of approval and security procedures for public events and festivals taking place during the holiday.
No Change in Threat Assessment
Despite the elevation in alert status, the Chief of Staff emphasized that there has been no change in the IDF’s overall multi-arena situational assessment, clarifying that the directives are purely a preventative measure to increase readiness for the holiday period.
He also provided key directives specifically for all border and security areas, alongside identified points of vulnerability.
In a statement outlining the military’s mission, LTG Zamir affirmed the IDF’s commitment to protecting the populace.
“We are at constant readiness, prepared across all arenas for defense and offense,” he said. “We continue our mission to enable all Israelis to mark the Sukkot holiday in peace and security.”
