Herzi Halevi with the new IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. Photo: IDF
An unprecedented situation has arisen in Israel: two generals are actually influencing the country’s military strategy at the same time, which could determine the future of the war and the fate of the hostages in the Gaza Strip. Lieutenant General Gertzi Galevi, the current Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), is still officially in office, but his successor, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, is already participating in key meetings of the security cabinet. This was reported by The Jerusalem Post.
An unusual transition of power
Traditionally, a change in IDF leadership is accompanied by a transition period, but this time it was not only short but also controversial. Usually, the current chief of staff retains full control until the official handover, but Zamir’s presence at government meetings and his close interaction with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raise questions about Galevi’s real influence.
Moreover, the appointment of Zamir, whom Netanyahu had strongly promoted, is perceived as a political move. The current prime minister has repeatedly clashed with Galevi because he supported diplomatic efforts to free the hostages through negotiations rather than by continuing large-scale hostilities in Gaza. Galevi believed that Israel had the opportunity to reach a deal with Hamas as early as mid-2024, which could have saved the lives of dozens of Israelis, but Netanyahu and his allies rejected the idea.
Political motivation of personnel decisions
Unlike Galevi, who was not afraid to openly express his position to the government, Zamir, according to analysts, will be more loyal to the political leadership. Netanyahu wants an IDF chief who will not publicly question government decisions. Although Zamir has an independent reputation, his commitment to the active continuation of hostilities in Gaza brings him closer to the position of the current prime minister.
What is in store for Israel?
The main question is what will happen if Halevi insists on continuing negotiations with Hamas to rescue the hostages, while Zamir supports a return to full-scale war? In this case, the IDF will for the first time find itself in a situation of two parallel decision-making centres, which could weaken the unity of the army at a critical stage.
Sources in the defence ministry note that although Halevi officially continues to head the General Staff, Zamir’s authority is already growing among the army leadership. This could mean that his position will carry more weight even before he is officially confirmed.
Thus, future decisions on military operations and the fate of hostages will be made in an unstable balance of power between the current and future leadership of the IDF, making this one of the most critical moments in Israel’s modern history.
