In the wake of a dramatic 12-day military campaign against Iran called Operation Rising Lion, Major General Shlomi Binder, head of the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) Military Intelligence Directorate, has addressed a heartfelt and sobering message to the soldiers who played key roles in the operation.
The campaign, which concluded in a ceasefire, marked a significant moment in Israel’s long-standing confrontation with the Islamic Republic.
In a letter sent to all intelligence personnel, Maj. Gen. Binder praised the “historic” scope and impact of the operation, noting that the mission’s objectives were not only met but exceeded.
According to Binder, Israeli forces succeeded in inflicting severe damage on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, halting vital processes in its missile production pipeline, and interrupting strategic developments that posed existential threats to Israel.
“These achievements will be widely discussed,” Binder wrote. “And you members of the Intelligence Directorate played a central role in them.”
Despite the operational success, the intelligence chief struck a tone of cautious reflection. Binder reminded his personnel that Israel’s adversary remains deeply committed and ideologically driven.
“We must remember that on the other side is a determined and extremist enemy, with a different concept of victory rooted in faith and stubbornness,” he warned.
In a striking moment of introspection, Binder invoked the shadow of the October 7th intelligence failure that shocked Israel and the world.
“The failure and the success occurred within the same organization, carried out by people who did their utmost to fulfill their mission,” he noted, urging intelligence officers to remain humble and self-critical, even in times of triumph.
Binder called for a renewed commitment to skepticism, rigorous debriefing, and the constant improvement of intelligence practices.
“The complexity of the intelligence profession and the fragility of our understanding demand our utmost humility,” he stressed.
With Iran’s military momentum checked for now, Binder emphasized that Israel’s strategic challenges are far from over.
The IDF’s focus now shifts back to Gaza, where the war’s core objectives remain unresolved chief among them, the return of Israeli hostages and the complete defeat of Hamas.
Reflecting on his meetings with soldiers and commanders across the intelligence network during the operation, Binder expressed deep admiration for their dedication, creativity, and moral clarity.
“What you all share is a deep belief in the justness of our cause… and a passion for action,” he said.
The general closed his letter with a call for ongoing accountability and growth, even amid success. Quoting Proverbs, he wrote: “Before destruction, a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”
Binder’s message serves both as a commendation and a call to vigilance—as Israel enters a new and uncertain phase in its regional security landscape.
