Tamir Yadai enters role as IDF deputy chief of staff

Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai has entered the role of deputy IDF chief of staff, under new IDF chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.

Yadai replaces Maj. Gen. Amir Baram, who has been selected by Defense Minister Israel Katz to serve as the next director general of the Defense Ministry — Zamir’s former role.

A small handover ceremony is held today at the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv.

Yadai, 55, began his service in the Golani Brigade. He rose through the ranks and went on to command the brigade in 2005, including during the Second Lebanon War.

In 2009, he was appointed head of the 80th Edom Regional Division — responsible for the borders with Egypt and Jordan — and between 2013 and 2015 served as the commander of the West Bank division.

In 2017, Yadai was promoted to the rank of major general and served as head of the Home Front Command until 2020, including during the outbreak of COVID-19. His command led the army’s response to the pandemic.

He was then appointed to head the IDF Central Command, though he only served in the role for less than a year and was moved to lead the IDF Ground Forces, his third role as major general.

Yadai served as chief of the Ground Forces until December 2024, requesting that his three-year tenure not be extended further. During his time in the role, he was responsible for IDF ground troops amid the ongoing war, which began on October 7, 2023.