The Israeli army has declared 2025 as a war year. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir announced this during a meeting with senior officers.

Zamir stated that the policy allowing a large portion of the army to take leave during Jewish holidays has been canceled. Normal leaves will continue but not for all units at the same time.

On October 7, during the Hamas attack, the Israeli army was in a complete 'closure' period. This policy had increased the army's vulnerability.

Eyal Zamir took over from his predecessor Herzi Halevi last week. Halevi resigned after admitting the army's vulnerability.