Israel’s new military chief takes office

Eyal Zamir has taken over as the 24th Chief of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He has warned that Israel’s multi-front conflict would be ongoing and vowed to strike its enemies with tremendous force. Zamir, 59, assumed his new role during a change-of-command ceremony at the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv following government approval of his appointment on February 16. 

He succeeded Herzi Halevi, who resigned in January after admitting his failure to defend Israelis during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. Zamir, a former Director General of the Defence Ministry, joined the military in 1985 and became a tank commander the following year. He later served as Commander of the Southern Command and as Deputy Chief of Staff.



During the ceremony, Zamir’s wife, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defence Minister Israel Katz pinned new ranks on Zamir’s shoulders. Netanyahu said Zamir’s main mission is to achieve the goal of absolute victory over Hamas. Netanyahu said Zamir was part of a policy shift aimed at increasing domestic ammunition production to reduce reliance on imports.

Zamir takes office at a sensitive time, as the future of a fragile ceasefire with Hamas, which took effect on January 19, remains uncertain, while violence escalates amid an ongoing large-scale military campaign in the northern occupied West Bank and rising tensions with Iran, which Israel considers its arch-foe.