Netanyahu Names Eyal Zamir as New IDF Chief

The Prime Minister’s Office announced the appointment on X on Saturday.

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Netanyahu Names Eyal Zamir as New IDF Chief

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Major General (Res.) Eyal Zamir as the new Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The Prime Minister’s Office announced the appointment on X on Saturday.

Zamir will be the 24th Chief of Staff of the IDF, succeeding Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, who resigned last month. He is set to assume the role on March 6, according to The Times of Israel. The report states that Halevi had been expected to step down once a ceasefire deal was signed between Israel and Hamas, following the military failure that led to the October 7, 2023, attack in southern Israel.

Alongside Zamir, Defence Minister Israel Katz had considered two other candidates for the position: Maj. Gen. Amir Baram, the current IDF deputy chief of staff, and Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai.

Halevi congratulated Zamir on his appointment, stating, “I have known Eyal for many years, and I am sure that he will lead the IDF forward in the face of the expected challenges and wish him great success.” He further added, “In the coming weeks, we will complete a professional and high-quality handover.”

Meanwhile, on Saturday, three Israeli hostages—Yarden Bibas, Ofer Kalderon, and Keith Siegel—were released from Hamas captivity in Gaza as part of the ceasefire deal.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed relief at their return, sharing a post on X: “Yarden Bibas, Ofer Kalderon and Keith Siegel are finally home. How we have worried, and awaited their return.” He also mentioned, “Yarden’s reunion with his family is simply heartbreaking. We all remain deeply concerned for the fate of our beloved Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas – as an entire nation we hold them in our hearts. The people of Israel stand by Yarden and the whole family, with great concern and in heartfelt prayer.”

The first phase of the ceasefire agreement aims to secure the release of 33 Israeli hostages over six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

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