Eyal Zamir takes helm of Israel Defence Forces, eyes hostage recovery and Hamas defeat

Eyal Zamir officially took over as the 24th commander of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on March 5, succeeding Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, who resigned due to the military's failure to prevent Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.

During a ceremony at the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, Zamir was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general, the military’s highest rank, Caliber.Az reports, referring to Israeli media.

Zamir, 59, who most recently served as the director general of the Defense Ministry, was appointed to lead the IDF in the ongoing war after being selected by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz last month.

Halevi, who had served in the role for two years, announced his resignation in January, opting to step down earlier than the customary four-year term following the military’s failure to prevent the Hamas assault.

In his inaugural speech, Zamir vowed to lead the IDF to victory, stating: "The task that I am receiving today is clear: to lead the IDF to victory." He reflected on the events of October 7, saying, “On October 7, the border was breached, and our enemies infiltrated our communities. Out of the fracture, the people of Israel rose and again proved their power in the moment of truth."

Defence Minister Katz addressed Zamir, telling him, “Halevi’s ceiling is your floor. And I am convinced that you will raise it higher and higher.” Katz also warned that if Hamas does not release the hostages it still holds, Israel will resume fighting, employing methods that Hamas has yet to face until the group is fully defeated. “We will not allow Hamas to rule in Gaza,” he added.

Gen. Michael Kurilla, head of United States Central Command and a close friend of Halevi, attended the ceremony but declined to speak.

As per tradition, Zamir visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem after the ceremony, a significant religious and cultural site for the Jewish people.

In other leadership changes, Katz appointed former Ground Forces chief Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai as Zamir’s deputy. Yadai will officially take over from Maj. Gen. Amir Baram in a ceremony on Thursday. Baram, in turn, will assume the role of Defense Ministry director general, which Zamir previously held.

By Tamilla Hasanova