• Major-General Eyal Zamir is appointed as the new chief of the Israeli military, succeeding Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.
• Zamir acknowledges that the mission against Hamas is "not accomplished" during his inauguration.
• The fragile ceasefire in Gaza, brokered by Qatar and Egypt, is facing potential collapse over hostages negotiations.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasizes Israel's determination to achieve victory in ongoing conflicts.

Israel's newly appointed chief of staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, took command of the Israeli army amid increasing uncertainty regarding the fragile ceasefire in Gaza. During his inauguration on March 5, 2025, Zamir stated that the military's mission to defeat Hamas is "not yet accomplished," highlighting that while the militant group has suffered significant losses, it has not been fully defeated. Following the catastrophic events of October 7, 2023, which resulted in numerous Israeli casualties and hostage situations, Zamir's leadership role comes at a sensitive moment when tensions remain high and ceasefire negotiations are at a standstill.

The ceasefire, which was brokered by Reuters and facilitated by Qatar and Egypt, has halted fighting since January. It allowed for the exchange of Israeli hostages with Palestinian prisoners but is threatened by the absence of agreements for the return of 59 remaining hostages held by Hamas. Discussions intended to extend this truce have not yet commenced, as both sides navigate deeply conflicting demands.

During the swearing-in ceremony, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underscored the heavy responsibilities Zamir faces, declaring that the outcomes of the ongoing military campaigns will resonate for generations. Netanyahu, who had previously recommended Zamir for the position, described him as having the qualities needed to lead during such tumultuous times. In his speech, Zamir reiterated the urgency of preparing for potential escalations in conflict, emphasizing that Israeli military operations remain a priority.

The previous chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, resigned due to failures in responding to the October 7 attacks, which exposed significant security breaches within Israeli intelligence and military operations. As Zamir assumes command, he inherits a military under scrutiny, with various inquiries launched to address the systemic failures that led to the October incident. Halevi called for an examination of these failures, emphasizing the need to understand the root causes rather than merely placing blame.

Zamir is also tasked with addressing international criticisms concerning allegations of war crimes committed by Israeli forces during military engagements in Gaza. These accusations come from organizations such as the Al Jazeera, which reports on the high number of Palestinian casualties resulting from Israel’s military operations. Tensions remain as both sides prepare for the possibility of renewed conflict if negotiations falter, with Zamir's leadership poised to impact Israel's future strategy in the region.

More on this story: Channel News Asia.

As Israel grapples with ongoing threats, Zamir's leadership will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping the military's approach towards potential escalations in Gaza and interactions with Palestinian groups.