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General Staff

Defense Minister Israel Katz (left) and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir are seen at the Knesset, October 13, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)
October 23, 2025, 2:33 pm
Katz locks horns with IDF chief, again, in apparent bid to reshape military’s top brass
Defense minister has been accused of ‘politicizing’ army by taking control of appointments; Zamir concedes some nominations, is now waiting for approval of next Navy and IAF chiefs
By Emanuel Fabian
Palestinians celebrating, near a destroyed Israeli tank at the Gaza Strip fence east of Khan Younis, October 7, 2023. (AP/Hassan Eslaiah)
February 27, 2025, 7:00 pm
Before Oct. 7, IDF probe shows, Hamas duped Israel into thinking it did not pose a major threat
Military’s perceptions of terror group led it to believe tunnel capabilities had been degraded, Hamas was not interested in major war and border fence would thwart any attack
By Emanuel Fabian
IDF chief Herzi Halevi (right) speaks at an award ceremony at the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, May 8, 2023. Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter (left) attends a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting at the Knesset, on October 22, 2018. (Israel Defense Forces; Miriam Alster/Flash90)
May 8, 2023, 8:28 pm
Halevi slams right-wing efforts to pressure IDF over promotion of top generals
After controversial officer again not advanced, and subsequent outrage, military chief says introducing ‘foreign considerations’ into appointments is ‘unacceptable, even dangerous’
By Emanuel Fabian
Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter attends a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting at the Knesset, on October 22, 2018. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
May 3, 2023, 3:43 pm
Contentious general once again left out of new IDF promotions
Military announces shuffle in General Staff, with Southern Command chief taking over Iran affairs; Ofer Winter said expected to quit after being snubbed again
By Emanuel Fabian
An Israeli Air Force soldier directs an F-35 fighter jets during a surprise exercise, 'Galilee Rose,' in February 2021. (Israel Defense Forces)
March 24, 2023, 6:02 pm
200 more pilots to skip weekly training flight over PM’s refusal to halt overhaul
Organizers say Netanyahu’s vow to enact law to control judicial appointments next week was breaking point for many in the IAF who hadn’t already joined protest
By ToI Staff
IDF reservists block Route 1 to protest the government's planned judicial overhaul, March 1, 2023 (Courtesy/Brothers in Arms)
March 23, 2023, 5:59 am
IDF chief said to warn PM of deepening military crisis if judicial overhaul approved
Halevi, Netanyahu meet in Jerusalem for routine security briefing, during which military leader reportedly conveys worries over deepening upheaval
By ToI Staff
Israeli reserve soldiers, veterans and activists protest outside the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, against the Israeli government's planned reforms, on February 10, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
March 22, 2023, 11:53 pm
As more reservists refuse to serve, IDF said seeing drop in troops reporting for duty
Multiple new letters Wednesday by soldiers from air force, armored corps, infantry and more warn government of consequences of judicial overhaul
By ToI Staff
File: Israeli reserve soldiers, veterans and activists protest outside the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, against the government's planned judicial overhaul, on February 10, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
March 21, 2023, 6:46 pm
Protesting reservists threaten mass refusal to serve over judiciary shakeup
Organizers of group representing reserve soldiers say they are beginning to sign thousands on declaration to not show up for duty if overhaul bills are passed
By Emanuel Fabian
Illustrative: IDF soldiers of Palsar 401, the reconnaissance company of the Armored Corps, during training in the Golan Heights on April 11, 2021. (Israel Defense Forces)
March 21, 2023, 11:17 am
IDF top brass said to warn reservist no-shows could impact readiness within a month
Members of the General Staff reportedly expect significant jump in number of former soldiers who refuse duty if government’s judicial overhaul continues apace
By ToI Staff
IDF troops are seen during an exercise in an undated photograph. (Israel Defense Forces)
January 20, 2021, 9:51 pm
IDF to hold massive exercise this summer, simulating full-scale, multi-front war
Exact timing and nature of the drill will depend on coronavirus restrictions, but it’s due to include entire army and other government bodies, in apparent message to Iran
By Judah Ari Gross
IDF Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Herzi Halevi in an undated photograph. (Israel Defense Forces)
November 16, 2020, 11:15 pm
Southern Command head Halevi tapped to be next IDF deputy chief of staff
Former Military Intelligence commander beats out Maj. Gen. Yoel Strick of the Ground Forces for the position
By Judah Ari Gross
Maj. Gen. Yoel Strick, head of the IDF Northern Command, in an undated photograph. (Israel Defense Forces)
February 17, 2019, 11:01 pm
IDF chief taps new head for embattled Ground Forces
In first round of appointments since beginning his tenure, Aviv Kohavi names new head of Northern Command, defense attache to US and commander of military colleges
By Judah Ari Gross
Then Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett (left) with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset, April 22, 2013 (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
November 19, 2018, 5:09 pm
Deriding Bennett, Netanyahu says IDF soldiers ‘are not afraid of anyone’
PM hits back at Jewish Home head’s claim that army’s Military Advocate General prevents soldiers from carrying out their fighting duties
By Raoul Wootliff
A photo of Rafah in southern Gaza on August 2, 2014, one day after the abduction and killing of Lt. Hadar Goldin (Hatem Ali/ AP Photo)
August 15, 2018, 8:10 pm
IDF clears troops in massive deadly bombardment during 2014 Gaza war
Army’s top lawyer determines that the 72 civilians killed in offensive after capture of soldier were not deliberately targeted and officers worked to prevent deaths of bystanders
By Judah Ari Gross
Military Advocate General Sharon Afek receives the rank of major general from IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, right, during a ceremony in the IDF's Tel Aviv headquarters on July 12, 2018. (Israel Defense Forces)
July 12, 2018, 4:46 pm
IDF promotes its first openly gay major general, Sharon Afek
The army’s top lawyer receives higher rank in light of international law’s growing importance in modern warfare, military says
By Judah Ari Gross
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