Yoav Gallant’s Minister of Defense appointed former Deputy Defense Secretary Eyal Zamir as Director General of the ministry.
Zamir, 57, will succeed Amir Echel in the role in the coming weeks.
The retired major general was twice among the candidates to lead the Israel Defense Forces. However, a front-line candidate was ultimately chosen instead.
Until recently, Zamir served as the IDF’s Deputy Chief of Staff. In 2018, he served as commander of the Southern Command, overseeing violent clashes along the Gaza border during protests organized by the Hamastero group.
From 2012 to 2015, Zamir was Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military secretary.
“Zamir is one of the best commanders to emerge in the IDF in the previous generation. His record of service was impressive and he excelled in all positions,” said Gallant, also a former general. , said in a statement released by his office.
Zamir thanked Gallant for the role and said, “We look forward to working together to strengthen the power of the IDF, defense organizations, industry and Israeli society.”