How Eyal Zamir, IDF's new Chief of Staff, differs from Herzi Halevi
In a seismic shift for Israel's military establishment, a battle-hardened commander known for his iron will and aggressive tactics is poised to take the helm of the IDF, promising to reshape the institution from top to bottom.
The current IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi will step down next month, with former Defense Ministry Director General Eyal Zamir taking his place. Military correspondent Yossi Yehoshua (Yedioth Ahronoth) shared insights about Zamir's aggressive military approach and what to expect from the new army chief.
"Zamir is known for his aggressive tactical approach - it's fundamental to his military philosophy," explained Yehoshua. "His military career is extensive: after graduating from military boarding school and high school, he joined the Armored Corps. He saw combat in both southern Lebanon and Gaza, later serving as military secretary and eventually heading the Southern Command. He was also the mastermind behind the border barrier project," Yehoshua detailed.
Speaking about Zamir's relationship with the current chief, Yehoshua noted: "You have to give Zamir credit - he's remained loyal and never publicly criticized Halevi. Their working relationship has been surprisingly good for their positions. While Halevi deserves praise for managing the northern front, his handling of the southern front is another matter," adding that "Zamir had developed quite different strategies for Gaza operations."
Looking ahead, Yehoshua predicted significant changes in the military's top brass. "Zamir is big on discipline and organizational structure. The current leadership has been dominated by former paratroopers, but that's likely to change quickly under his command. He's currently searching for a deputy, with Tamir Yadai being his ideal candidate. I wouldn't be surprised to see Major General Yaniv Assor brought back into active service as well."