Incoming IDF Chief Eyal Zamir: "I’m Not Opposed to Military Control in Gaza"

As of 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) welcomed its new Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who stepped into the role with no grace period amid a fractured General Staff and ongoing war. Zamir inherits a military leadership in disarray, with several major generals—including the Southern Command commander, the Operations Directorate chief, and the Strategy Division head—already announcing their resignations. Four other senior officers, including the heads of Military Intelligence, the Air Force, and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, remain uncertain about their futures. In the coming days, Zamir will finalize his new General Staff lineup in coordination with Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, with key appointments like Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai and Southern Command’s Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor—who returns after being sidelined by the outgoing chief—already revealed by Channel 14 News.

Zamir faces a daunting array of challenges, with his top priority being victory in the Gaza war: defeating Hamas, retrieving all hostages, and preparing for prolonged military control of the Strip if no viable alternative emerges. In closed-door discussions with confidants, he stated, “I’m not opposed to military control in Gaza; humanitarian aid must be wrested from the hands of the Hamas terror organization.” He added, “I will recommend to the political echelon that the Palestinian Authority have no role in Gaza’s post-war future.” Achieving these goals, he believes, requires intensified military pressure and a return to aggressive combat operations in the region.

Beyond Gaza, Zamir’s second major challenge is Iran—neutralizing the “head of the octopus” of the Shiite axis, with a focus on dismantling its nuclear program. Appointed amid an active conflict, he must also rebuild the IDF and ready it for the possibility of another multi-front war. With a war-focused 2025 on the horizon, Zamir’s openness to sustained military governance in Gaza and his strategic vision signal a decisive shift. Widely regarded as the right leader for this moment, he steps into a role demanding both resolve and reconstruction.