Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu appoints Eyal Zamir as new Israeli military chief

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Maj Gen Eyal Zamir as the next chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), replacing Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, who is set to step down in March.
The announcement was made by Netanyahu's office on Saturday, confirming that Zamir will officially assume the role on March 6.
Zamir, currently serving as the director general of Israel’s defense ministry, was among the top candidates considered for the position.Along with him, defense minister Israel Katz had shortlisted Maj Gen Amir Baram, the current IDF deputy chief of staff, and Maj Gen Tamir Yadai for the role, according to The Times of Israel.
Halevi announced his resignation last month, taking responsibility for the security failures that led to Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack, widely regarded as the most severe security breach in Israel’s history.
As per The Times of Israel, Halevi had initially intended to step down only after a ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas.
Following the announcement, Halevi issued a statement congratulating Zamir and assuring a smooth handover of command. "I have known Eyal for many years, and I am confident that he will lead the IDF forward in the face of the challenges ahead," Halevi stated, as quoted by ANI. He also emphasized that the transition process over the coming weeks would be "professional and high-quality."
Zamir, a seasoned military leader, previously served as the deputy chief of staff of the IDF and has held various command positions within Israel’s armed forces. His appointment comes at a critical time when Israel is dealing with complex security threats, including ongoing hostilities with Hamas in Gaza and heightened tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas remains a key issue in Israel’s security landscape. Three Israeli hostages—Yarden Bibas, Ofer Kalderon, and Keith Siegel—were released on Saturday as part of the first phase of the truce. Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed relief at their return but voiced concerns about the remaining captives.
According to AP, the first phase of the ceasefire is expected to last six weeks, with a total of 33 Israeli hostages being freed in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The agreement also includes the reopening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, allowing medical evacuations for wounded Palestinians.
Israeli and Hamas representatives are scheduled to begin negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire in Washington on Monday, as confirmed by Netanyahu’s office.
The discussions will focus on securing the release of remaining hostages and potentially extending the truce indefinitely. However, if no agreement is reached, the conflict could resume in early March.