WATCH: IDF Chief of Staff meets injured soldiers, in emotional visit before Pesach

On Wednesday, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, accompanied by his wife Orna, visited the Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center to meet with soldiers wounded in combat. During the visit, Zamir toured various departments of the center, engaging with the wounded soldiers and listening to their personal stories of sacrifice and resilience. The Chief of Staff’s visit came just ahead of the Passover holiday, a time when he extended his blessings and expressed his deep appreciation for the strength and courage shown by the soldiers.

Zamir, accompanied by Dr. Chagai Amir, the center’s director, spent time speaking with both the wounded soldiers and their families, offering encouragement and showing solidarity. He acknowledged the diversity among the soldiers, noting that the injured came from various backgrounds — including those from religious, secular, and ultra-Orthodox communities, as well as soldiers from different regions and both reservists and active-duty personnel. “You made sacrifices and were willing to give everything, and you were wounded. I believe that is heroism,” Zamir told the soldiers, visibly moved by their stories.

The Chief of Staff took a moment to commend the medical teams and the Casualties Directorate for their tireless efforts in providing care for the wounded. "I came here to see you before Passover. I came to give you strength—but I’m the one who’s moved by what I’ve seen. There is extraordinary strength here," Zamir remarked, emphasizing the significant role the medical personnel played in aiding the soldiers’ recovery.

Zamir also touched on the broader mission of the IDF, highlighting the ongoing efforts to bring home the fifty-nine hostages held by enemy forces. He reassured the wounded soldiers that their contributions had helped save many lives, both those who fell in battle and those who survived. "We have lost many troops, many soldiers, and we owe them a profound moral debt," he said, reaffirming the IDF's commitment to honoring their memory.

Concluding his visit, Zamir shared an optimistic outlook, expressing admiration for the soldiers' resilience. "I'm leaving here optimistic seeing you, but I'll tell you — this is a battle after the battle. After the battles you've fought, now you are fighting another one: the battle of rehabilitation," he said, reinforcing his belief that their courage would carry them through the next chapter of recovery.