IDF Chief Recounts: How the Decision Was Made to Strike Iran
At a ceremony marking the graduation of the 191st pilot course at Hatzerim Airbase, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir addressed the newest aviators and reflected on the responsibilities now resting on their shoulders. As the wings were pinned to their uniforms, Zamir told the graduates that from this moment forward, “the next operational mission – and with it the great responsibility of removing existential threats to Israel and ensuring the continued existence of the Jewish state – will be yours.”
Zamir urged the new pilots to look ahead with confidence, closing his remarks by encouraging them to “soar upward to the skies and return safely to your bases,” and charging them to go forth and succeed.
Turning to the broader picture, Zamir emphasized that the memory of fallen soldiers accompanies every mission and that the military remains committed to the rehabilitation of the wounded. He added that the task is not complete until SFC Ran Gvili is brought back to rest in Israel.
Addressing parents and families in attendance, Zamir described them as full partners in the achievement of the graduates, thanking them for standing by their children through years of demanding preparation. He also expressed appreciation to commanders, career and reserve personnel, and technical crews, crediting their leadership during what he called the longest and most complex war in Israel’s history.
Zamir congratulated Brig. Gen. Omer Tishler on assuming the role of incoming commander of the Israeli Air Force, voicing confidence in his ability to guide the force through future challenges. He likewise praised course commanders and staff who, he said, trained the next generation of pilots while simultaneously leading real-time operations during wartime.
Reflecting on the months since October 7, Zamir said the air force, together with ground forces, has operated “with unprecedented precision and scope” in both nearby and distant arenas. He noted that the IDF is conducting ongoing reviews and applying lessons learned, stressing that “we will learn from the failure, but we will not sink into it.”
Zamir added that the military continues to adapt even as operations unfold, declaring, “The Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps,” and reaffirming that Israel will act decisively against those who seek to do it harm, guided by the principle of striking those who rise to kill.
Only later in his remarks did Zamir recount the hours leading up to the strike on Iran. He said that during the night between June 12 and June 13, he presented the final operational plan to the Israeli cabinet, calling it “a dramatic meeting.” According to Zamir, the Cabinet Secretary offered a prayer for the safety of IDF troops, recalling that “the tension was palpable, and there was a feeling in the air of the crowded room that something historic was about to happen.” The plan, he said, was approved by a show of hands.
Once the decision was made, Zamir described how senior commanders rushed from Jerusalem to IDF headquarters, entering the command bunker as pilots were already in the air. Officers, he said, were “operating with composure and professionalism,” while dozens of aircraft circled, awaiting final instructions. Intelligence updates continued in real time, forcing mission changes mid-flight. “At 02:55, dozens of strikes hit their targets with great precision,” Zamir said, marking the launch of Operation “Rising Lion.”
He noted that the full scale of the operation — from aerial refueling and intelligence coordination to helicopters on standby, special forces deployment, and ground crews — would be recorded in history. Zamir said the air force “was at its very best,” describing it as Israel’s long-range strategic arm.
Zamir also recalled the briefings held with pilots ahead of the operation, when he warned them plainly of the dangers, telling them that “some aircraft will be shot down and some of you will not return.” He said the response was immediate and unified: “We are ready for the mission. You can rely on us!” According to Zamir, that moment captured the spirit that has enabled the IDF to confront threats on multiple fronts.
{Matzav.com}
