Jerusalem, 14 October, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The race to replace IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai is approaching a decision point, with two senior Religious Zionist (Srugim) generals emerging as leading candidates amid reported disagreements between IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and the political leadership.
Maj. Gen. Uri Gordin, head of the Northern Command, is reportedly Zamir’s preferred candidate. Gordin was recently assigned responsibility for coordinating investigations and lessons learned from the war, further strengthening his position.
Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, head of the Southern Command, is reportedly favored by the political echelon, including Defense Minister Israel Katz.
The appointment carries added significance because the second deputy chief of staff appointed during a chief of staff’s tenure typically has the strongest prospects of eventually becoming IDF chief of staff himself.
