New Israeli Army Commander: 2025 Will Be a Year of War Focused on Gaza and Iran

Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, the new Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, announced to his senior commanders that 2025 will be a year of war, with the main focus on Gaza and Iran, while other fronts will also be considered. Eyal Zamir has ordered the dissolution of the 'Strategic Command and Iran' center in the Israeli Army, with its components integrated into other sections of the army. However, the Jerusalem Post reported on Thursday that no information has been released regarding how these changes will be implemented and their impact on the army's readiness to confront Iran and its nuclear program. In recent years, the Israeli Army has established special units in military intelligence and the air force to counter Iran. These units have likely reduced the central role of the previous unified command that focused on Iran. Meanwhile, Al-Monitor reported on Wednesday that the Pentagon has deployed a third U.S. aircraft carrier to the region to 'send a message to Iran.' According to this report, the USS Truman, equipped with bombers, is currently in the area. Israeli and Al-Arabiya media have also reported on recent B-52 bomber flights as 'a warning' to Iran, and Kan, Israel's public broadcaster, published a report on a joint Israeli-American military exercise this week. General Michael Kurilla, the CENTCOM commander, attended the ceremony marking the end of Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi's tenure as the head of the Israeli Army and the beginning of Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir's leadership in Tel Aviv. The Pentagon has recently granted General Kurilla the authority to make operational decisions required by CENTCOM without the need for Pentagon approval. According to Channel 13 of Israeli television, this authority allows General Kurilla to coordinate and execute potential operations against Iran more swiftly. Eyal Zamir, the new commander of the Israeli Army, also stated on Wednesday, March 6, that the mission to destroy the extremist group Hamas is not yet complete. These remarks come amid an uncertain ceasefire situation in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized during Zamir's appointment that the country is determined to achieve victory in the current multi-front war. Meanwhile, Arab leaders have approved a plan for the reconstruction of Gaza under the administration of the Palestinian Authority, but Israel has rejected any role for this entity in the future of Gaza. Zamir, who succeeded Herzi Halevi, stated, 'Hamas has been severely hit, but it has not been defeated. The mission is not yet complete.' These comments come as negotiations regarding the future ceasefire with Hamas have reached a deadlock. Reports indicate that 1,218 people were killed in Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel's response to this attack and operations in the Gaza Strip have so far resulted in over 48,405 deaths. The World Food Program, the main UN agency for food security, has reported that it has run out of major food supplies in the Gaza Strip. This agency emphasized in a statement to the Associated Press that the existing supplies are only enough to keep bakeries and kitchens operating for less than two weeks. Israel announced on Sunday, March 12, that with the end of the first phase of the agreement and considering Hamas's opposition to the proposed U.S. plan for continuing negotiations, it has stopped the entry of all goods and aid into the Gaza Strip. Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union. Arab countries have approved Egypt's plan for the future of Gaza. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Africa, and the United Nations have strongly criticized the halt of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Meanwhile, Qatar rejected statements from Israeli internal security officials, Shin Bet, claiming that aid sent from this country reached Hamas. Qatar stated that this aid 'has never been provided to Hamas's political or military branch' and announced that 'all aid sent by Qatar to Gaza was delivered with the full knowledge, support, and oversight of the Israeli government and security agencies.'