New Israeli military chief assumes command with Gaza ceasefire in the balance

Eyal Zamir promoted to Lieutenant General to lead IDF amid ceasefire tensions and hostage negotiations with Hamas.

Israel swore in a new commander of its military on Wednesday (March 5, 2025) as a standoff over the fragile ceasefire in Gaza increased the risk of a resumption of fighting without an agreement to bring home the rest of the hostages still held by Hamas.

Eyal Zamir, who retired after 28 years with the rank of Major General, was promoted to Lieutenant General, before formally assuming command from General Herzi Halevi, who stepped down over the security disaster of Oct. 7, 2023.

Also read | Arab leaders endorse a counterproposal to Trump’s Gaza plan, with ceasefire uncertain

"The mission I have been given is clear, to lead the IDF to victory," he said.

Fighting in Gaza has been halted since January under a truce brokered by Qatar and Egypt and supported by the United States that has allowed the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages and 5 Thais for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

A related war in southern Lebanon, which broke out after Iranian-backed Hezbollah forces launched missile strikes against Israel after the October 7 attack, has also been silenced by a separate ceasefire agreement.

But Israeli Ministers and officials have warned that their forces could resume fighting if there is no agreement on bringing back the 59 hostages that remain.