Incoming IDF chief tours major combat zones before taking reins tomorrow

Over the past two weeks, incoming IDF chief of staff Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir held a series of visits to several of the military’s combat fronts, “as part of the process of his entry to the role and an examination of IDF’s readiness,” the military says.

Zamir met with senior officers in the West Bank city of Jenin, the Gaza Strip, and Lebanon, and discussed with them “plans for the continued fighting, with emphasis on the offensive plans.”

Zamir will become the IDF’s 24th commander tomorrow, replacing Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, who is resigning over the military’s failures to prevent Hamas’s October 7, 2023, onslaught.

Upon his entry into the role, Zamir will discuss the appointments of numerous commanders. Senior officer promotions have been on hold under orders of Defense Minister Israel Katz, and several top generals are expected to follow in Halevi’s footsteps and resign over the army’s failures surrounding the October 7 attack. Some top generals have already announced their intention to resign, but their replacements will only be decided by Zamir.