Eyal Zamir visits key combat zones ahead of his appointment as Chief of Staff tomorrow

Over the past two weeks, Zamir visited the Samarian city of Jenin, the Gaza Strip, and Lebanon, meeting with senior officers and discussing plans for ongoing and future military operations. His focus during these visits was particularly on offensive strategies and ensuring the IDF is prepared for potential challenges ahead.

At 59 years old, Zamir is set to officially take on the role of the 24th IDF chief of staff on Wednesday, succeeding Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, who is stepping down in the wake of the military’s failure to prevent the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Zamir’s visit to the combat zones marked an important part of his preparations for leading Israel’s military during a critical time. He held discussions with senior military personnel and reviewed strategic plans for ongoing operations, with a focus on ensuring the IDF remains flexible and responsive to emerging threats.

Zamir, a former deputy chief of staff (2018–2021) and head of the IDF Southern Command (2015–2018), is a seasoned officer with significant experience in military strategy. During his time leading the Southern Command, he developed war plans to address threats from Hamas, even contemplating scenarios in which Hamas could be displaced from Gaza. These plans, however, were not updated by subsequent commanders. As the new chief of staff, Zamir is expected to bring a fresh perspective and continuity to the IDF’s operational strategies.

Beyond his military leadership, Zamir has also been active in the defense sector as the current director-general of the Defense Ministry. He has been working on boosting domestic weapons production to reduce reliance on foreign imports, collaborating with local defense companies to enhance Israel’s security capabilities.

Zamir's appointment comes at a time of significant change within the IDF. With several top generals resigning in the wake of the October 7 attack, Zamir will soon be tasked with reshuffling the command structure and appointing new leaders. Senior officer promotions, which have been put on hold by Defense Minister Israel Katz, will be decided by Zamir once he takes office. As he steps into his new role, Zamir’s leadership will play a key role in shaping the IDF’s future and ensuring its preparedness in an increasingly volatile region.