Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Major General (Res.) Eyal Zamir as the new Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The announcement was made by the Prime Minister’s Office in a social media post on Saturday. Zamir who is reportedly set to assume office on March 6, 2025, succeeds Lt General Herzi Halevi to become IDF’s 24th Chief of Staff.
Halevi announced his departure from office last month. He was expected to step down from his role after the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was signed. In a statement on Saturday, Halevi congratulated Zamir saying, “I have known him for years and he will surely lead the IDF forward in light of the expected challenges. I wish him great success.”
Zamir’s appointment comes after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz interviewed him along with Maj. Gen. Amir Baram, the current IDF deputy chief of staff, and Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai.
Who Is Eyal Zamir?
The 59-year-old Eyal Zamir has been acting as the defense ministry director since 2023. He retired from the military after being passed over for the top position in favor of Halevi. According to reports, he has previously worked as the deputy chief of staff and had served as the head of the army’s Southern Command.
