Eyal Zamir Appointed as Israel’s Next IDF Chief of Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the appointment of Maj. Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir as the 24th Chief of Staff of the IDF, ahead of Netanyahu's departure to the United States.

Zamir, who currently serves as the Director General of the Ministry of Defense, was selected from three candidates and will assume the position on March 6, following the retirement of the current Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi. His appointment is still subject to approval by the Advisory Committee for Senior Appointments, the Grunis Committee, and formal government approval.

Zamir, 59, has served in the IDF for 38 years. He began his career as an armored corps soldier and tank commander, and for the first time since Lt. Gen. David Elazar in the 1960s, an officer from the Armored Corps will hold the position of Chief of Staff. His various roles have included Deputy Chief of Staff, Military Secretary to the Prime Minister, Head of the Southern Command, and Chief of Staff of the Ground Forces. He also previously commanded the 7th Armored Brigade.

As Deputy Chief of Staff, Zamir was primarily involved in force buildup and maintaining security ties with the U.S., particularly regarding the procurement of fighter jets, munitions, and other military equipment. Upon assuming his new role, he will need to appoint a new Deputy Chief of Staff to replace Maj. Gen. Amir Baram and a new Head of the Southern Command to succeed Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman.

The current Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, congratulated Zamir on his appointment, stating that he "will lead the IDF forward in light of the challenges ahead." Halevi pledged to ensure a professional and thorough transition of command in the coming weeks.