As Israel’s security establishment navigates one of the most complex periods in its history, Col. A., the officer responsible for planning IDF operations over the past two years, sat down Thursday evening for an exclusive interview with Channel 14. The interview offers a rare glimpse into the IDF’s strategic thinking, ranging from the campaign against Iran to concrete fears of escalation in Judea and Samaria.
2+Asked about the pager operation, Col. A. didn’t just confirm the sense that it was a stunning achievement. “I think there are things that are even more ‘wow’ that happened,” he says, adding a reference to the unprecedented strike: “The attack in Qatar shows that the State of Israel and the IDF are willing to take major risks to achieve major results.”
According to Col. A., the campaign against Iran is far from over. Responding to Donald Trump’s remarks about canceling ceasefire agreements with the Iranians, the officer makes clear that the IDF is developing new and surprising tools to strike strategic components in the Islamic Republic. “There are two options,” he explains. “Either an agreement that removes nuclear material from Iran, or this regime will have to fall. Those are the only options for solving the problem.” He emphasizes: the IDF is ready to strike inside Iran.
2+Col. A. also raises concerns about other fronts, pointing to the consolidation of “the Sunni axis” led by powerful states. He specifically identifies Turkey as a potential threat: “We need to be a country with military capabilities better than those who could threaten us. It would be dangerous for us if they (the Turks) hold F-35 aircraft.”
2+Despite tensions in the north and Gaza, the senior officer surprises by identifying the most critical arena for Israeli civilian security today: Judea and Samaria. Responding to public fears of a repeat October 7th scenario in the area, he says: “The most complex place today is Judea and Samaria. We’ve come a long way there in strengthening the communities and security components.”
He concludes with a warning and a call to decision-makers: “The biggest advantage in Judea and Samaria is that we’re not standing on the sidelines. The IDF’s freedom of action for intelligence and force deployment anywhere in Judea and Samaria is what will prevent nightmare scenarios from taking hold. If we preserve that, we’ll prevent the next thing.”