JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the newly appointed chief of staff for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), held his first assessment with the General Staff Forum on Wednesday, announcing a series of significant decisions, including the closure of the IDF’s Iran Directorate and the formation of a new tank brigade.
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Zamir, who declared 2025 as a “year of war” with a focus on the Gaza Strip and Iran, also emphasized the military’s commitment to returning Israeli hostages, calling it a “moral duty.”
Among his decisions, Zamir appointed Maj. Gen. (res.) Sami Turgeman to lead a panel of experts to evaluate the IDF’s investigations into the October 7 conflict and present recommendations for future actions. The IDF will cooperate fully with external investigatory bodies in a show of transparency, Zamir said.
In a significant reorganization, Zamir will disband the Strategy and Third-Circle Directorate, which handles the military’s Iran portfolio, dispersing its responsibilities among other units while aiming to improve the IDF’s strategic focus on Iran, foreign relations, and overall strategy.
Zamir also announced plans to shutter the General Staff Corps, re-activate the Ground Forces in emergencies, and create a new tank brigade. Additionally, the IDF will evaluate the possibility of establishing a new infantry brigade and reviving the Armored Corps’ patrol companies, including the potential for one company composed of ultra-Orthodox troops.
Finally, Zamir announced he would display photographs of Israeli hostages in his office until their safe return.
The military is set to begin planning for a new multi-year strategy in the second half of 2025, Zamir added.
He cannot make decisions. Whatever Trump says they have to listen. It’s like the Romans and Eretz Yisroel.