JERUSALEM (VINnews) – Israel’s top military commander on Monday stressed the Jewish people’s transformation from helplessness during the Holocaust to a position of strength, declaring that the Israel Defense Forces will confront and eliminate every threat without hesitation as it prepares for the continuation of operations against Iran and its proxies.

Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, chief of the General Staff, made the remarks during a situational assessment and operational planning session with the General Staff Forum focused on Iran and other arenas.

“As we sit and plan the continuation of the operation in which we are currently engaged, on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day I cannot help but reflect on us and on the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces — and on the magnitude of the historic responsibility resting on our shoulders during this time,” Zamir said.

Eighty-one years after the end of World War II, Zamir highlighted the stark contrast between the persecuted Jewish people of the past and today’s reality.

“From a persecuted and defenseless people, we are now fighting a major and consequential campaign to remove existential threats from the State of Israel and the Jewish people,” he said. “We are facing a multi-arena operation, unprecedented in the history of our people and among nations.”

Zamir noted that Israel has struck hard at Iran and its proxy forces, dismantling military capabilities.

“The regime in Iran, which called and acted for our destruction, is a cruel dictatorship — we were not deterred by it. We stood firm in defense of our fate and struck them,” he said.

The chief of staff emphasized the IDF’s role as the strongest defensive force in Jewish history.

“Today, the Jewish people have a powerful defensive force against those who seek to destroy us. We will not be deterred by our enemies — our fate is in our hands,” Zamir said. “This evening, more than ever, it is appropriate that we remember the six million, and alongside that, remember the historic privilege we have been given to defend the Jewish people with strength.”

He concluded with a clear message as Yom HaShoah approaches: “On the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day — the message from here is clear and unequivocal: We will not be deterred! We will look every threat in the eye and eliminate it in advance.”