The Israeli military’s chief spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, who became the face of the country’s offensive effort, will step down in the coming weeks, the army has announced, AFP reports.

A former commando, Hagari became a household name after the offensive with Hamas erupted in October 2023, briefing the media and the general public almost daily — sometimes several times a day.

An army statement said Hagari served as spokesman “in a professional and devoted manner” during “one of the most complex wars in Israel’s history”.

It added that Hagari’s resignation, days after a new military chief was sworn it, has been approved by the new top commander, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir.

According to the statement, Hagari, 49, will step down “in the coming weeks”, though no exact date was given.