On the eve of Passover, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir joined the reconnaissance troops and commanders of the Nahal Brigade at Mavo Dotan outpost in northern Samaria, underscoring the military’s primary mission since October 7: securing the release of hostages held by Hamas and achieving decisive victory over the Iranian-backed terrorist organization. Zamir’s presence at the Seder reaffirmed Israel’s resolve amid the Iron Swords War, set against a backdrop of ongoing conflict imposed by regional proxies of Iran, with Gaza at the focal point.
The Nahal Brigade, at the front lines since the war’s outbreak, has suffered significant casualties—27 fighters and commanders lost and hundreds wounded since the October 7 terrorist assault, the deadliest antisemitic massacre since the Holocaust. Despite these losses, Zamir’s message resonated with those assembled: every military action in Gaza is aimed at rescuing the hostages kidnapped by Hamas and its affiliates, restoring Israeli deterrence, and ensuring national security.
Across Israel’s security landscape, Passover carries a particular resonance this year. IDF units throughout Judea, Samaria, and along multiple frontlines marked the festival with traditional meals, recognizing both military service and the enduring national imperative for freedom. Senior military officers and defense leaders—including division and brigade commanders—visited bases to express gratitude and reinforce morale. At Mavo Dotan, the Seder table was made especially poignant by the presence of ‘Haggadah of Freedom,’ a symbolic item presented to General Zamir by Naama Levi, a soldier previously held captive by Hamas and recently freed during military operations.
The centrality of the hostage crisis has fundamentally shaped the IDF’s operational priorities. Following the October 7 invasion—when Hamas terrorists, acting on direct orders from their leadership in Gaza and with support from the Iranian regime, infiltrated Israeli communities, perpetrated mass murder, and seized over 250 hostages—the Israeli government and armed forces calibrated their response with a focus on both security and humanitarian concerns. The ongoing offensive in Gaza, coordinated with real-time intelligence and specialized rescue units, seeks to dismantle Hamas’s infrastructure while making the liberation of unlawfully held Israeli civilians and soldiers a parallel imperative.
Hostage recovery has proven complex and fraught. Hamas continues to exploit Gaza residents as human shields, hides detainees in civilian areas and beneath urban infrastructure, and routinely violates the laws of armed conflict. The IDF, for its part, has emphasized compliance with international law, taking precautions to limit civilian harm amid urban fighting, even as military necessity intensifies. A small number of hostages have been rescued so far, but efforts persist under difficult conditions. Israeli officials stress the crucial distinction between the innocent hostages—men, women, and children forcibly abducted—and the convicted terrorists held in Israeli prisons for proven involvement in terror activities.
Lieutenant General Zamir’s remarks during the Seder reflected an ethos of collective unity and endurance, interweaving the religious themes of the holiday with the present realities of national struggle. He prayed and conferred with Nahal leaders, praised standing and reserve personnel, and joined readings from the Passover Haggadah, reinforcing the narrative of liberation that links Jewish history to the present strategic challenge.
Israel’s confrontation with Hamas cannot be divorced from the broader context of Iran’s campaign of proxy warfare, as demonstrated by the coordinated threats from Hezbollah to the north, Yemen’s Houthis along the Red Sea, and Shi’ite militias in Iraq and Syria. These regional threats underscore the existential stakes faced by Israeli society and intensify the sense of mission among IDF troops. Equally, the defense establishment remains vigilant for further cross-border escalations, while the government in Jerusalem works in concert with the United States and other international allies to secure diplomatic backing, intelligence coordination, and humanitarian support for civilians impacted by the conflict.
Public opinion in Israel remains overwhelmingly committed to the achievement of total victory over Hamas and the safe return of remaining hostages. Dialogue with families of kidnapped Israelis has become a central feature of civil-military interface, informing operational considerations and national discourse. Recent diplomatic overtures and mediation attempts—driven largely by U.S. officials—have produced only limited progress, with Hamas repeatedly rejecting proposals that do not secure its own terms of survival.
Against this complex backdrop, the Passover Seder at Mavo Dotan became a microcosm of both loss and hope, symbolizing determination to overcome adversity through unity and purpose. The Nahal Brigade, historically renowned for its blend of frontline defense and pioneering spirit, continues to play a pivotal role in the campaign against terror and in upholding the IDF’s highest standards of moral and operational conduct.
As military operations in Gaza, Judea, and Samaria continue, Israel’s civilian and military leaders stress that the principles guiding the response to the October 7 massacre—a commitment to life, national self-determination, and unwavering pursuit of justice—will prevail. The protection of Israel’s citizens, the recovery of hostages, and the defeat of Iranian-backed terror networks remain nonnegotiable objectives. For the soldiers present at the Passover table, and for the nation at large, the fight for freedom is both a sacred inheritance and a present-day reality—as vivid and urgent as ever in the face of ongoing threats and enduring hopes for peace.
