Israel: Major General Eyal Zamir is the new leader of the armed forces

He appointed a new chief of the general staff of Israel’s armed forces, following the resignation of General Herzi Khalevi, who had assumed his “responsibility” for not preventing Hamas’ unprecedented attack on 7 October 2023, was announced Saturday by the Israeli Prime Minister’s office. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Kats agreed (…) on the appointment of Major General Eyal Zamir as the next chief of Israel’s general staff,” the announcement said. Major General Zamir, 59, was general director of the defence ministry and among the officers reported by the Israeli press to take the leadership of the armed forces. He had served in the Israeli armed forces for 28 years and from 2018 to 2021 was deputy chief of staff, according to the armed forces website. He had also been head of the southern administration, responsible for military operations and defense, including at the Gaza border, as well as a military secretary of Netanyahu.