Zamir calls off trip to US for Centcom handover as Gaza expansion looms

By Emanuel Fabian

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4 August 2025, 10:49 pm

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

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir speaks at a multi-front situational assessment at the Glilot base near Herzliya, July 21, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has canceled plans for short trip to the United States, according to a military source.

The source says the trip was conditioned on there being a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and since that is not the case, he will not be flying tonight.

Zamir was set to attend the handover ceremony of the head of the US Central Command, as well as meet with US officials at the Pentagon, and leaders of Jewish groups, according to the IDF.

Because there is no ceasefire, “and due to the difficult situation of the hostage issue, and the great responsibility on his shoulders, he decided to cancel his trip,” the source adds.