Israel’s government has approved Maj. Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir as the next IDF chief of staff.

Israel’s government has approved Maj. Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir as the next IDF chief of staff.

He is replacing Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, who resigned in January 2025 following the military’s failure to prevent Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.

Zamir, a former Defense Ministry director-general and Southern Command chief, becomes the first armored corps officer to lead the military.

He inherits ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, systemic reforms, and pressure to restore public trust after the deadliest security breach in Israel’s history.

Halevi’s departure followed internal probes revealing intelligence failures that enabled Hamas militants to kill 1,200 Israelis and take 250 hostages. Zamir will assume command on March 6.