Herzi Halevi

Herzi Halevi is the former IDF chief of staff, having served from 2023 when he replaced Aviv Kohavi, until March 2025, when he was replaced by Eyal Zamir. 

Halevi's short tenure as chief of staff was due to the October 7 massacre, when Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel on October 7, 2023 and killed 1,200 people and taking over 200 others hostage. Due to the IDF's failure to prevent this attack from occurring, Halevi resigned from his position nearly two years later. 

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Zamir appoints Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin as new military spox., replacing Hagari

Defrin beat out Col. Beni Aharon, who had been a key tank brigade commander during the Gaza war, for the post.

How a massacre happened: How three top IDF officials failed to prevent Hamas's attack

Three IDF officials are uniquely responsible for the last-minute decisions they made once there was evidence of a potential imminent attack.

  IDF Chief-of-Staff Eyal Zamir visits the Western Wall, in Jerusalem, on March 5, 2025

'Victory and defeat of the enemy': New IDF chief Zamir's first official order

"Enemies near and far have sought to destroy us. They mistakenly believed that our spirit was weak and our ranks were fractured," he wrote. 

Dozens of wristbands: Sharon Halevi’s tribute to fallen soldiers

The outgoing IDF chief of staff's wife explained that the bracelets were given to her by the families of fallen IDF soldiers she had visited during the Iron Swords War. 

Zamir reshapes IDF high command with key appointments

New IDF chief Eyal Zamir makes swift command changes merely hours after his swearing in.

Halevi, Zamir visit Western Wall, after transfer of title

Both Zamir and Halevi left notes between the stones of the Wall, a common Jewish tradition when visiting the site.

  Eyal Zamir is promoted to the rank of Lt.-Gen. as he takes over as IDF chief, March 5, 2025

Eyal Zamir takes helm of IDF as Netanyahu celebrates 'time of Zamir'

Zamir said that he will press for an "equal burden sharing" of service, wanting to increase the number of haredim serving in the IDF.

 IDF Chief-of-Staff Eyal Zamir and predecessor Herzi Halevi visit the Western Wall, in Jerusalem

Herzi Halevi to Netanyahu: IDF can never leave our own in enemy territory

"A state inquiry is necessary, not to accuse, but to get to the root of the problems, and to make it possible to fix them,” Herzi Halevi said.

IDF Operations Directorate head Oded Basyuk asks to resign

Basyuk made his request to incoming IDF Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir

  IDF chief of staff Herzi Halevi seen during an exercise in northern Israel, July 31, 2024

How did IDF chief Herzi Halevi grapple with October 7 failure?

What will historians say about Halevi 50 years from now, and will another IDF chief cite him as an example?

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