Defense Minister Israel Katz appoints Tamir Yadai as Deputy IDF Chief

Defense Minister Israel Katz has decided to appoint Major General Tamir Yadai as the IDF's new Deputy Chief of Staff, according to a statement today (Friday).

Here is the full statement:

Defense Minister Israel Katz has decided, in coordination with the designated IDF Chief of Staff, Major General (ret.) Eyal Zamir, that Major General Tamir Yadai will be appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff, replacing the current Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Amir Baram, who is completing his role.

Major General Yadai is a veteran and highly respected officer who has successfully filled key positions throughout his many years in the IDF, including as commander of the Ground Forces, commander of the Central Command, commander of the Home Front Command, commander of the Judea and Samaria Division, and commander of the Golani Brigade.

Defense Minister Israel Katz: "I am confident in Major General Yadai's ability to make a significant contribution in the role of Deputy Chief of Staff to strengthening the IDF's force building and offensive capabilities in face of the many security challenges we are facing these days. I congratulate Major General Yadai on his willingness to continue contributing to the IDF and the State of Israel, and wish him great success in fulfilling his role."

Yadai was one of three potential candidates to replace outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, the others being Major-General (res.) Eyal Zamir, then-Director-General of the Ministry of Defense, and current IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Amir Baram.

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi decided a few weeks ago to resign over his failure to identify and prevent the October 7 attack. He said that he delayed that decision due to the need to rebuild and reinvigorate the army and neutralizing or weakening the threats Israel faced. With the ceasefire holding in both the north and the south, Halevi decided the time had finally come.