The Israeli government confirmed the appointment of Maj. Gen. (res) Eyal Zamir as the next Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff. Zamir will replace Lt General Herzi Halevi to become IDF’s 24th Chief of Staff. Halevi announced his resignation over the military’s October 7 failures on January 21, 2025. He will reportedly step down on March 5. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier announced the appointment of Eyal Zamir through a social media post.
Who Is Eyal Zamir?
Zamir, 59, was born and raised in Eilat. He would become the Chief of Staff to begin his career in the Armored Corps. After joining the army in 1984 he became a tank commander, gradually climbing the ranks. He was eventually appointed as Netanyahu’s military secretary from 2012-2015. From 2018 to 2021, he was deputy chief of staff before becoming a visiting research fellow at the Washington-based Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
Zamir was also considered for the Chief of Staff in 2018 and 2022. In 2023, he was appointed Director General of the Defense Ministry. He also has degrees from Tel Aviv and Haifa Universities and is a graduate of Wharton University’s General Management Program.
The IDF Chief of Staff serves for three years with the possibility of a one-year extension. The last time chief of staff to leave the post before the end of his term was Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz, who resigned in 2007 over IDF failures during the Second Lebanon War of 2006.
PM Netanyahu Recalls First Meeting With Eyal Zamir
PM Netanyahu, at the start of the Government meeting today recalled, “I first met Eyal Zamir when I interviewed candidates for the position of Military Secretary. I was impressed by his commitment to the country and to the IDF, as well as by the fact that he has an aggressive approach.
