Herzi Halevi’s final US trip scheduled for next week as tensions with Hamas reach a boiling point

This visit will also be Herzi Halevi’s last official trip to the United States before he steps down as IDF Chief of Staff. Halevi announced late last month that he would resign on March 6, 2025, taking responsibility for the military's failures during Hamas’s devastating October 7 attack on Israel. His move to go to the US symbolizes his final US diplomatic engagement before his prominent position in the IDF will be passed onto Eyal Zamir, his successor as chief of staff.

The diplomatic trip comes at a particularly tense time, with ongoing negotiations regarding resuming the hostage deal and an increased state of alert in the IDF following threats from Hamas that the terror organization will not be releasing hostages this Saturday, as previously agreed. In response President Trump threatened Hamas that if the hostages are not released by that deadline, "all hell will break loose."

The timing of Halevi’s visit is notable as tensions escalate over a hostage agreement that was supposed to see the release of several hostages held by Hamas. Last night, Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida announced the postponement of the planned release of hostages, which was initially set for Saturday. Obeida cited Israel’s failure to adhere to the terms of the agreement as the reason for the delay. This announcement has caused concern within Israeli defense circles, with the situation remaining fluid and unpredictable.

In response to the development, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF to prepare for any potential escalation. Katz emphasized that the IDF should be on the highest alert level, especially regarding possible scenarios in Gaza and the safety of Israeli communities located near the area.

As Halevi’s visit to the U.S. approaches, his leadership during a turbulent time for both the Israeli military and the broader geopolitical landscape will be a key point of focus. The visit is expected to serve as an important opportunity to solidify and strengthen the strategic ties between Israel and the U.S., particularly in light of the ongoing challenges posed by Hamas and other regional threats.