Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir has taken over the leadership of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in a ceremony held in Tel Aviv, replacing Herzi Halevi, who resigned in January following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. In that event, 1,200 people died and 251 were kidnapped.
During the ceremony, Zamir emphasized that it is his duty to bring the hostages back home from the Gaza Strip as soon as possible using all necessary means. He also stated that the absolute priority will be to achieve their release.
At the same event, Defense Minister Israel Katz supported Zamir's words and affirmed that Israel will not allow a return to the situation prior to the Hamas attack in October 2023. Katz called for national cohesion, urging all sectors of Israeli society to get involved in the defense of the country.
Zamir takes office at a time of high tension, promising to strengthen national defense, maintain internal cohesion, and continue the fight against Hamas as a strategic priority. In his speech, Zamir stressed that leading the IDF to victory is his main mission, although he acknowledged that the threat persists.
The Hamas attack in October 2023 was considered one of the most severe in Israel's recent history, prompting significant changes in the country’s security strategy and the reorganization of its armed forces. Benjamin Netanyahu noted that Israel is strengthening its arms production capacity to reduce dependence on external resources and ensure current and future needs in ongoing conflicts.
The event was attended by Herzi Halevi, the former military chief, who left his position after the Hamas attack in October 2023. Halevi expressed determination not to return to the circumstances prior to that attack, indicating that the focus is on the loved ones of those affected by the events of that tragic day.
