Maj. Gen. Hidai Zilberman takes over as new head of IDF’s Planning Directorate

By Emanuel Fabian

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21 December 2025, 12:28 pm

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Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Maj. Gen. Hidai Zilberman, the incoming chief of the Planning Directorate, speaks at a handover ceremony at IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, December 21, 2025. (Screenshot: Israel Defense Forces)

Maj. Gen. Hidai Zilberman takes over as head of the IDF’s Planning Directorate, replacing Vice Adm. Eyal Harel, who served in the role for the past two years.

Zilberman had, until recently, served as Israel’s defense attaché to the US. No permanent appointment has been made yet to replace him, and in the interim, a brigadier general is serving as acting defense attaché.

Zilberman also previously served as IDF spokesperson.

Harel is expected to be appointed as the next Navy chief.