The true measure of the IDF’s worthiness in its mission to protect Israel hinges on its ability to bring back the hostages taken by Hamas, declared IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir. He delivered these remarks during a ceremony at Mount Herzl on Monday, an event dedicated to honoring Israel’s fallen security personnel as part of Remembrance Day commemorations.
“We are fighting in order to build a more secure future, and a free state. It is our ethical obligation to return our hostages [held by Hamas] to their homes – this is the test of being the Israeli Defense Forces,” stated Zamir during his address.
Gathered alongside Zamir were the heads of the Mossad, Shin Bet, IDF Intelligence, the Israel Police, and senior officials from each of these vital security branches.
Although Zamir did mention the goal of achieving “victory”—signaling the defeat of Hamas—it was clear that the central theme of his speech was the moral imperative to retrieve the hostages.
It remained uncertain whether Zamir’s choice to place such emphasis on returning the captives was intended as a subtle critique of government factions appearing more willing to prioritize the ongoing offensive against Hamas over immediate hostage recovery, or if his focus simply reflected the solemn atmosphere of Mount Herzl and the nature of the memorial.
Zamir further proclaimed, “It is our obligation in the IDF to serve as a [national] conscience, to highlight the way forward and to act at all times, without hesitation…out of a sense of steady honesty, for the sake of unity, cohesiveness, and victory.”
Amid an ongoing and deeply personal struggle with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his expected resignation, Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar was physically present at the memorial and shared thoughts with the audience through a recorded statement.
Bar was seen gazing intently at the memorial wall inscribed with the names of Shin Bet operatives who fell in the line of duty.
Reflecting on the profound losses, Bar emphasized that the sacrifices of these agents left an indelible mark both personally, given the close-knit nature of the organization, and professionally.
On the professional side, Bar explained that honoring the memories of the fallen drives Shin Bet operatives to maintain their highest level of vigilance “every day and every hour” in their battle against terrorism.
Despite his visible presence, Bar gave no outward indication of the political storm he is currently navigating—a fallout stemming from criticisms over the failure to predict Hamas’s October 7 attack and deepening rifts with Netanyahu over the prime minister’s confrontations with Israel’s judicial system.
Mossad Director David Barnea also participated in the Mount Herzl ceremony, delivering a pre-recorded message in which he affirmed the agency’s enduring bond with its fallen. As “we defend the security of our homeland” he said, “we salute our heroes, you who lost your lives for the homeland…We have pride in your and our strategic achievements…you will always be part of the family of the Mossad.”
Barnea continued, adding a note of determination: “we remember you with our [ongoing] activities and achievements…we will continue to act with cunning and with a readiness to sacrifice.”
{Matzav.com Israel}