IDF Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, published a letter to servicemembers addressing the hostage release deal: "I met you, soldiers and commanders, repeatedly throughout the days of combat. I saw the deep desire to protect our home and return the hostages to their homes. I salute you, generation of war. We have reshaped the Middle East, Israel's security concept and our defense and deterrence strategy for years to come." Zamir added that "the mission of returning the hostages grew from the clear values of a free people in their land - the obligation to choose life."