Chief of the General Staff's Letter to the Commanders of the IDF

Commanders,

We have been fighting for four months, and we still have a long way to go. The face of the war is changing. From a difficult and painful beginning to a quick and determined recovery, and on to an offensive - the results of which are evident: the degradation of the enemy and the return of some of the hostages. Our operations have changed and have been adapted to the various stages of the war and the duration of the campaign. When I meet with you, the commanders, in the field, you are determined and mission-oriented, imbued with the spirit of victory and leading from the front. You are leading the ground operations in difficult conditions and at high risk, operating in a high-quality manner over long periods of time. All of these qualities are leading to impressive results, for which you are worthy of great appreciation. We will continue to dismantle Hamas, do everything to return the hostages from Gaza, and return the residents of the south and the north to their homes safely.

I am writing to you action items that I would have written to myself in a notebook were I now a battalion or brigade commander:

• This is a long and just war -  Every action is very important, and every localized achievement is part of achieving the goals of the war. This you must do with determination and professionalism. A long road requires a wide perspective beyond the immediate target. In every action we take, we must carefully clarify its goals and how we will best achieve them. We must think about how to act to keep the force strong over a long period of time and take a breath for running long distances, not for a sprint.

• Values ​​in combat - In the Torah portion Kedoshim, the commandment "Do not curse the deaf" appears. This is perplexing: why not curse if a deaf person cannot hear? The answer is simple - when you curse, you tarnish yourself. We act like human beings and, unlike our enemy, uphold our humanity. We must be careful not to use force where it is not required, to distinguish between a terrorist and one who is not, not to take what is not ours - a souvenir or parts of a weapon - and not to shoot revenge videos. We are not on a spree of killing, revenge, or genocide. We have come to defeat a cruel enemy, who deserves a bitter loss. We will not err and allow it an achievement in the international arena. A true soldier is one whose values ​​do not waver in the face of a challenging reality, he is one whose values ​​are firm and do not change according to the direction of the wind. 

• Reviews - We will soon begin the process of reviewing the events of October 7th and what led to them, even though we are still at war. In the name of learning, we have the duty to review. This is a necessity and not a privilege. Only this way will we be able to understand how we could have acted and how we will act in the future to better protect the citizens of Israel. Each unit and each force will review the battles and the events in which they participated, and up the chain of command, we will review level above level. At this stage, the IDF will review the opening events, but a unit that is on a break from fighting is obligated to review the events that follow as well - in the name of learning and preventing the loss of knowledge. I trust the IDF's ability to conduct a true and thorough review. Work first to build a common factual basis for the review, and then move on to thinking and formulating the conclusions and lessons.
  We will carry out the reviews in light of five leading values: truth, transparency, practicality, accountability, and camaraderie.

• The strength and cohesion of the forces - At the end of four months of fighting, the time has come to deal with the absentees and return them to the combat sphere. We need every male and female combat soldier, and if the need arises, we will deal with them in a disciplinary manner. It is our responsibility to reduce the phenomenon. Along with this, we must remember that following the war and its starting point, in which there were unusual and difficult events, many soldiers may feel distress and anxiety. Bring your people to you for a conversation that is open and honest and help them establish and deepen their resilience. Get help from professionals when needed. This is the necessary duty of a commander. Remember our commitment to those who were injured both physically and mentally, who are in the midst of the journey of rehabilitation and return to a life of action and meaning. Give each and every one of them the support and care they need.

• Bereaved families - We lost the best of our sons and daughters in the opening events and in the fighting that followed. The relationship with the bereaved families is important today and for many years to come. Be sure to go to them whenever you can. If you can, even a phone call during a lull in the battle is very important. Some of the visits may be complicated and we have to accept the criticism and keep coming steadily. Be sure to come to each visit after you have studied in depth the facts concerning the fallen and the events in which they fell and when you are familiar with the details of the case. Do so with the required professionalism and sensitivity, and know that in the time that has passed, many families have dealt with the details of the death of their loved ones and connected the missing pieces. Honesty and transparency will increase trust - one that will be difficult for you to restore if you do not come prepared for the first visit. This is part of the responsibility placed on your shoulders. Be aware and sensitive. The relationship between the families and yourselves has moral baggage. For you, commanders, this is a duty that is a privilege. For the families, this is partnership and commemoration, camaraderie and covenant.

Commanders, 

Significant challenges and prolonged fighting await us - in the north, in the center and the south. This is a war for our home. It is our determination and professionalism in every arena and in the face of every enemy that will make it clear to those who wish us ill the price involved in an attack on the State of Israel. A long war requires handling people, operational capabilities and discipline. Continue to invest in the fighting spirit among your people, while encouraging learning and professionalism.

Remember: our spirit will bring victory, our professionalism will determine the result.

Be proud of your people, I am proud of you!