Eyal Zamir
(1966 - )
Eyal Zamir, born in Eilat, Israel, in 1966, is a senior Israeli military officer and defense official. Zamir’s career has included various senior combat and command positions in the IDF.
Zamir began military service in the Armored Corps in 1984 after graduating from the IDF Junior Command Preparatory Boarding School. He served as a tank platoon commander and, later, a company commander in the Armored Corps. His early career included roles as an operations officer for the “Saar Megolan” Division and commander of the “Romach” battalion within the same division. He also commanded a tank commanders course in the “Bnei Or” Division and was an operations officer in the “HaPlada” Division.
From 2000 to 2001, Zamir served as head of the Armored Corps branch in the headquarters of the Chief Armor Officer and commanded the “Bnei Reshef” reserve brigade. He commanded the Center for Tactical Training in the Ground Forces Training Center in 2001-2003. During Operation Defensive Shield, he led the “Bnei Reshef” brigade in combat in the Jenin area. From 2003-2005, he commanded the Saar Megolan Division; from 2007-2009, he commanded the “Etgar” reserve division and a course for company and battalion commanders. Between 2009 and 2011, he commanded the “Gaash” Division.
Zamir’s career progressed to include key staff positions. He served as the head of the Ground Forces Staff from 2011-2012. From 2012 to 2015, he was the military secretary to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Following that, he commanded the IDF’s Southern Command from 2015-2018, where he led efforts to counter terror tunnels from the Gaza Strip and manage border riots. Zamir served as Deputy Chief of Staff under the Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, from 2018 to 2021. During this period, he coordinated the implementation of the “Tnufa” multi-year plan and managed military aid to the civilian sector during the COVID-19 pandemic and Operation Guardian of the Walls.
Zamir was considered for the position in 2018 and 2022 but was not chosen. In 2023, Zamir was appointed Director General of the Defense Ministry.
Zamir’s selection as Chief of Staff was announced on February 1, 2025, and he is scheduled to take office on March 6, 2025, succeeding Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi. Halevi resigned early due to the failures surrounding the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Zamir is the first IDF chief to begin military service in the Armored Corps. His appointment has been considered a consensus decision, partly because he was not part of the military command during the October 7 attack.
Zamir holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Tel Aviv University and a master’s in national security and political science from Haifa University. He is also a graduate of the Wharton School’s General Management Program.
Zamir has expressed strong views regarding fighting terror and Iran. In a 2007 article, he wrote that “collective punishment” against a terrorist population is justified. In 2022, he stated that Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons requires action to prevent them from acquiring such weapons, including an attack on Iranian soil. He has also emphasized investing in Artificial Intelligence for military applications.
On February 2, 2025, Zamir stated that 2025 will continue to be a year of combat despite ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon. Zamir emphasized the need for Israel to be self-reliant in producing its weaponry, citing the ongoing global arms race and the nature of the region. He also highlighted the IDF’s resilience during recent conflicts, noting that the military “rose from the depths,” and that the enemies in all sectors were defeated. He stressed the importance of remembering the sacrifices made and that the Ministry of Defense must continue strengthening the IDF. Zamir stated that Israel needs to prove to its enemies that they face a powerful and victorious force.
He is married and has three children.
Sources: “Resume of Eyal Zamir,” IDF Spokesperson’s Unit. [Hebrew]
“Director General - Eyal Zamir,”, Israel Ministry of Defense. [Hebrew]
“Eyal Zamir,” News1. [Hebrew]
Itay Blumental, Carmela Menashe, Gili Cohen, “Eyal Zamir is IDF’s Next Chief of Staff,” Israel Hayom, (February 1, 2025). [Hebrew]
Lilach Shoval, “From Boarding School Boy in Eilat to the Top of the IDF: Eyal Zamir to Be the First Armored Corps Chief of Staff Since Dado,” Israel Hayom, (February 1, 2025). [Hebrew]
Emanuel Fabian, “Eyal Zamir named next IDF chief, set to take over from Herzi Halevi in March,” Times of Israel, (February 1, 2025).
“Who is Major General Eyal Zamir, the newly selected IDF chief of staff?” All Israel News, (February 2, 2025).
Elisha Ben Kimon, “The Next Chief of Staff, in His First Speech After His Appointment: ‘2025 Will Be a Year of Combat.’” Ynet, (February 2, 2025). [Hebrew]
Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikipedia Commons.