Maj. Gen.  Eyal Zamir, the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the incoming Chief of Staff of the Israeli army, has warned that Israel’s military campaign is far from over and that the country must continue preparing for future challenges.

Speaking at a Ministry of Defense conference, Zamir emphasized the ongoing security threats facing Israel, particularly the multi-front war against local adversaries and the broader Iranian threat.

“The campaign is not over, and the challenges are still ahead of us,” he said. “The year 2025 will continue to be a year of fighting. The Ministry of Defense must continue to build up the force and support the needs of the army and national security missions.”

Zamir, who is set to replace Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi as Israel's army Chief of Staff in March, highlighted the importance of Israel developing its own defense capabilities, particularly in weapons production.

“Even before the war broke out, we identified a critical need: increasing reliance on domestic production,” he stated. “The war proved that we must rely on ourselves. We were all raised on the phrase: ‘The State of Israel will defend itself on its own.’”

With the U.S. and several European nations delaying or halting weapons shipments to Israel, the country has ramped up domestic munitions production. Zamir made it clear that this effort will continue.

“Now I tell you, the State of Israel will manufacture its own weapons, against any threat and in every scenario,” he declared. “Throughout the war, we restarted closed production lines, expanded existing ones, and created new capabilities. Reducing dependence on the world is good for security, the economy, and industry. It will also strengthen Israel’s position in the global defense market.”

Addressing the broader conflict, Zamir painted a stark picture of the region’s escalating arms race.

“We are in a global arms race—a technological race. There is no mercy in our neighborhood,” he said. “From Iran to Gaza, from Yemen to Beirut and Damascus, our enemies are mistaken about us. The people of Israel and the miltary are strong. When tested, our fighters rise to the challenge. We must salute the army, its soldiers, and commanders. They saved the State of Israel.”

Zamir praised the military’s performance in both Gaza and Lebanon, describing its actions as a decisive victory over adversaries.

“The Israeli army rose from a bottomless pit—the enemies in all arenas were defeated, and their leaders buried under the rubble. But the campaign is not over. We must remember the heavy price we paid in lives lost and wounded soldiers.”