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US Embassy in Syria: Barrack and Abdi discussed practical steps toward integration into a unified Syria and agreed that the time for unity has come
US Embassy in Syria: US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack met today with the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi
US Embassy in Syria: Barrack-Abdi meeting discussed the current situation in Syria and the need to take urgent steps to restore stability
Al-Hijri: We call on the guarantor states of the ceasefire agreement to fulfill their pledges to halt this attack and impose direct international protection for the Druze of Syria
Al-Hijri: It is unfortunate and shameful that the other party is not abiding by the ceasefire and that the hostile gangs continue to commit shameful crimes
Spiritual Leadership of the Druze Unitarian community, headed by Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri: We call on the guarantors of the ceasefire in Sweida to shoulder their responsibilities
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One was killed in the raid carried out by an Israeli drone on a motorcycle in the town of Yohmor al-Shaqif
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 62 martyrs killed by IOF in Gaza since morning, including 32 aid seekers.
Reuters: More than 20 injured in Los Angeles, including four critically, after a car rammed into a crowd
NNA: A civilian was killed in a drone strike while fixing plumbing on a rooftop in Matal al-Jabal, on the outskirts of al-Khiam

IOF reshuffle wartime unit as commander moves to lead Shin Bet

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Israeli media
  • 26 May 2025 23:11
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir orders a major IOF reshuffle, placing the General Staff Corps under Ground Forces.

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  • Israeli Occupation Forces paratroopers clear ammunition from their weapons before Al-Quds' Old City, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 (AP)
    Israeli occupation forces paratroopers clear ammunition from their weapons in al-Quds' Old City, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP)

IOF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has decided to subordinate the General Staff Corps, a top-level unit activated only during wartime, under the command of the Ground Forces, according to an official statement.

The corps is currently commanded by Maj. Gen. David Zini, who is being dismissed from the IOF after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed him to lead the Shin Bet without consulting Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.

This decision means that following Zini's departure from the IOF, the position of head of the General Staff Corps will no longer be filled by a major general, but rather is expected to be assigned to a brigadier general, as the unit will now operate under the command of the Ground Forces, which is led by Maj. Gen. Nadav Lotan.

The General Staff Corps is intended to oversee tactical battlefield operations during wartime, allowing regional commands to focus on strategic planning. However, the General Staff Corps sees little operational use, with its current commander, Zini, also serving as head of the IOF's Training Command.

Zini nomination 'invalid, unlawful': Israeli AG

Meanwhile, the row over Zini's nomination to lead the Shin Bet continues. Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his involvement in selecting David Zini as the next head of the Shin Bet raises concerns about a conflict of interest, casting doubt on whether the appointment can proceed as planned.

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In a letter to the prime minister, the attorney general stated that Netanyahu's decision to appoint Zini disregarded the determinations outlined in the High Court ruling, as well as legal directives, rendering the selection "invalid" and "in violation of the law."

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara informed Netanyahu that due to his conflict of interest, he cannot participate in any way in the process of selecting a new Shin Bet chief, and that to ensure the swift replacement of outgoing director Ronen Bar, he must transfer the authority to nominate a candidate to another government minister.

A legal memo from Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon to Baharav-Miara stated that to prevent any perception of the appointed minister merely serving as the prime minister’s proxy, the selection process must adhere to strict guidelines, ensuring it remains free from improper influence and is completed in time for a smooth transition from outgoing Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.

Netanyahu announced Zini’s appointment on Thursday, bypassing the Attorney General's opposition and reportedly selecting him after a brief, informal conversation during a visit to the Tzeelim base. The move came just one day after the High Court ruled Netanyahu could not dismiss current Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, who is set to resign next month. 

Past comments by Zini stir controversy 

Major General David Zini, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Shin Bet chief appointee, has drawn fierce backlash from families of Gaza-held captives following reports that he expressed resistance to both a ceasefire in Gaza and a potential deal to secure the hostages' release.

Channel 12 reports Maj. Gen. David Zini told a closed Israeli military meeting, "I'm against hostage deals, this is an eternal war," though the statement's timing and exact wording remain unconfirmed, with the remarks gaining new relevance as Zini prepares to oversee hostage negotiations.

Another report by Channel 12 cited the new Shin Bet Chief sounding his opposition to prioritizing the return of the Israeli captives, telling former IOF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, “You prioritize the return of the hostages over destroying Hamas.”

According to sources cited in the report, Zini has consistently opposed negotiating deals for the captives' return, with Channel 12 revealing that he explicitly told military colleagues, "I'm against hostage deals, this is an eternal war," a stance that has now drawn scrutiny as he prepares to assume a key security role.

  • Shin Bet Chief
  • Israel
  • Israeli occupation forces
  • Benjamin Netanyahu
  • Shin Bet
  • Eyal Zamir
  • Gali Baharav-Miara
  • David Zini

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