Major General Eyal Zamir, currently Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s Military Secretary, will be appointed Head of IDF Southern Command. He will replace Major General Sami Turjeman, who has held the position in the last two years. 

Zamir’s appointment is one of several that have been announced by the new IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, and which have been approved by Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon.

It is not clear why Eizenkot is cutting short Turjeman’s service at the helm of the Southern Command, since they are known to have a warm relationship. It is possible that he intends to appoint him to a more senior position.

Eizenkot decided to extend by one year the terms of Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, and Navy Commander Maj. Gen. Ram Rothberg.

Brig. Gen. Amikam Nurkin will be appointed Head Of Planning Department and promoted to major general. He will replace Maj. Gen. Nimrod Shefer who has held the post for the last three years.

Maj. Gen. Tamir Heyman will replace Maj. Gen. Yossi Baidatz as Head of the Military Colleges. He will continue to serve as Head of the Northern Corps.