02.02.2025 01:30
The Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, who resigned, has been replaced by Eyal Zamir, the Director General of the Ministry of Defense. Zamir will assume office as the country's 24th Chief of Staff.
Israel's Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi, who announced his resignation by taking "responsibility for the horrific failure" on October 7, has been replaced by Eyal Zamir, the Director General of the Ministry of Defense.
In a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, it was reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz decided to appoint Zamir to the position that Halevi will vacate as of March 6.
Retired Major General Zamir, who served as Deputy Chief of General Staff until 2021, has been continuing his role as Director General of the Ministry of Defense since 2023. Zamir will officially take office as the country's 24th Chief of General Staff after the committee's evaluation and cabinet vote in Israel.
NETANYAHU'S FORMER MILITARY SECRETARY
An unnamed Israeli source speaking to Haaretz claimed that Zamir, who served as Netanyahu's military secretary from 2012 to 2015, was "very close to the prime minister." The source stated, "Bibi completely trusted Eyal and never hesitated to express opinions that did not align with his views."
WHAT HAPPENED?
In his resignation letter presented to Netanyahu and Katz, Halevi stated that during the attack carried out by Hamas's armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, on October 7, 2023, he felt "the responsibility for this horrific failure every day from the very first day, as his command of the Israeli army failed to protect its citizens."
Chief of General Staff Halevi's disagreements with Prime Minister Netanyahu and the government came to light on October 7, 2023, following Israel's attacks on Gaza and the region. In Israel, Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners made statements directly targeting Halevi.