Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari is set to retire from the military in the coming weeks.
The move, which comes almost two years after Hagari became the IDF’s chief spokesman on March 29, 2023, was agreed upon with incoming Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, according to a statement on Friday.
“The chief of staff wished to express his great appreciation to Rear Adm. Hagari for his years of significant combat service for the State of Israel,” said the IDF, adding that Hagari served “during one of the most complex wars in the country’s history, in a professional and dedicated manner.”
Most IDF spokespersons serve for two years.
Hagari, 48, has served in the IDF since 1995. He led the Shayetet 13 (Flotilla 13) naval commando unit from 2019 to 2021.
In June, Hagari was widely criticized after he told the Channel 13 News broadcaster that the government’s goal of ending Hamas rule in Gaza can only truly be accomplished by putting in place a viable alternative.
Hagari stated that “Hamas is an idea,” and as such, “anyone who thinks it can be eliminated is wrong.” He also said the Iranian-backed terrorist organization is “rooted in the hearts of the people” of Gaza.
In December, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened disciplinary action against Hagari after he expressed in-uniform criticism of the “Feldstein Law,” a bill making its way through the Knesset that would give immunity to members of the security establishment who give classified files to the prime minister or the defense minister.
Hagari’s subsequent apology “put an end to the incident,” leading Katz to abandon his plans to initiate disciplinary proceedings, sources close to the defense minister stated, adding that Katz would not tolerate any further partisan political statements from “anyone wearing a uniform.”
Also last year, Hagari demanded that Channel 14 News take down an “inciting” meme that mocked IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, calling it “humiliation of the IDF and its commanders in wartime.”
In a public response, the broadcaster called on Halevi to “clarify to Rear Admiral Hagari that he is a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces and not a television critic.”
The channel also said it “did not broadcast any inciting video against the IDF or against any of its commanders.”