Israel appoints Eyal Zamir as new Chief of Staff

The Israeli cabinet officially approved Major General Eyal Zamir as the next Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff.

A 59-year-old Zamir will officially become the 24th IDF commander on March 5, succeeding Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, who resigned over the failure to prevent Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

Zamir will become the first IDF chief to come out of the Armored Corps since David (“Dado”) Elazar in the 1970s.

Zamir served in the IDF for 38 years in various senior combat and command positions, in particular, he was deputy chief of staff (2018 to 2021), and before that led the Southern Command (2015 to 2018). He served as the Commander of the Ground Forces and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military secretary between 2012-2015.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has praised Zamir’s “offensive and strategic approach” and expressed his belief that Zamir will lead Israel into a new era of military strength.

“I expect from Eyal Zamir, during his service, and even very soon, that we will see major achievements, which will change not only the status of Israel but the face of the entire Middle East,” Netanyahu stated, according to his account X.

He noted “the first role of a military is to fight and defeat the enemy.”

Last week Defense Minister Israel Katz held a meeting with both Herzi Halevi and Eyal Zamir at the IDF Southern Command headquarters in Beersheba.

"Zamir’s leadership is exactly what we need to ensure the strength and success of the IDF," Katz said during the cabinet meeting. "His leadership will not only safeguard Israel but also bring long-term victory over our enemies."

On Friday, Katz nominated former Ground Forces chief Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai, 55, for the position of IDF deputy chief of staff, who is going to replace Maj. Gen. Amir Baram.

“I am confident in Maj. Gen. Yadai’s ability to make a significant contribution as deputy chief of staff, strengthening the IDF’s force buildup and offensive capabilities in the face of the many security challenges we currently face,” Katz said in a statement.

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