Marking 1,000 days since the October 7 attack that launched the war, Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz convened a high-level security assessment Thursday with Israel’s senior defense leadership to review developments across multiple fronts. The meeting included Eyal Zamir, Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram, senior IDF commanders, and representatives of the Shin Bet and Mossad.

During the briefing, military officials reported that Israeli forces have destroyed 83 percent of the tunnel network located within Gaza’s so-called “yellow line” zone, as operations to dismantle Hamas’ underground infrastructure continue.

Opening the meeting, Katz reflected on the milestone reached since the war began.

“1,000 days after the murderous terrorist attack of October 7, the State of Israel stands stronger, more determined, and more powerful. We emerged from the greatest tragedy we have known into the ‘war of revival’ of the State of Israel. We paid heavy prices and lost our best sons and daughters, and out of the pain a more united people and a stronger, more resolute state have grown.”

Katz argued that Israel’s military campaign has fundamentally reshaped the regional balance of power.

“In the past 1,000 days, Israel has changed the face of the Middle East. Under the leadership of the political echelon headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and thanks to the heroism of IDF commanders and soldiers in both regular service and reserves, we struck at the heart of the Iranian axis of evil, thwarted Iran’s nuclear program and removed an existential threat from Israel’s citizens. We eliminated Iran’s leader Khamenei and most of the Iranian leadership, and severely damaged its strategic capabilities – and the IDF must prepare for independent Israeli ‘blue-and-white’ strikes in Iran whenever required in order to remove any threat.”

He also highlighted what he described as major achievements against Israel’s regional adversaries.

“We eliminated the entire Hamas leadership involved in the October 7 massacre, eliminated Hassan Nasrallah and the Hezbollah leadership, destroyed Assad’s army in Syria, decapitated most of the Houthi leadership in Yemen, and severely damaged all the terror arms that sought to encircle Israel in a ring of fire.”

Turning to Israel’s current military posture, Katz said Israeli forces intend to maintain their presence in key security zones while continuing operations against terrorist infrastructure.

“The IDF is currently in security zones in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria and will not withdraw from them – and must prepare for a long-term presence in the field. Our forces are operating deep inside terror camps in Judea and Samaria. In Gaza, efforts to destroy the tunnel infrastructure continue, and 83% of the tunnels in the ‘yellow line’ area have already been destroyed. In Lebanon we are continuing to destroy terror infrastructure in the first line of villages at full strength.”

Concluding his remarks, Katz said Israel would not permit hostile forces to regain a foothold along its borders and pledged that military operations would continue until the country’s security objectives are achieved.

“We will not return to a reality in which our enemies establish themselves on our borders and threaten our communities. The IDF will continue to stand as a barrier between our communities and jihadist enemies. The campaign is not yet over. 1,000 days after October 7 – and our enemies understand well that the attempt to destroy the State of Israel has failed.”

{Matzav.com}