The Israeli government has appointed a controversial far-right figure, who has reportedly opposed ending the war on Gaza, as head of its internal security agency Shin Bet.
David Zini’s appointment was confirmed on Tuesday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet, angering the families of some 50 captives still being held in Gaza - only 20 of whom are believed to be still alive.
"The government has unanimously approved the appointment of Maj Gen David Zini as head of the Shin Bet for a term of five years," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.
Zini had been nominated for the role by Netanyahu in May with his term beginning on 5 October and his term will last for five years.
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar said he was stepping down in June following weeks of tension with Netanyahu, whose decision to fire him in May was frozen by the country's top court.
A far-right 'messianic' figure
The former major general has served in several posts since beginning his career in the Israeli army’s General Staff Reconnaissance Unit in 1992.
He occupied key positions in the military’s Northern Command, including during the 2006 war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Zini also commanded a battalion and the Egoz Unit at different points during the 2008-2009 Gaza war and briefly headed the Golani Brigade during Israel’s 2014 offensive in the Strip.
He then went onto serve in the Central Command between 2014 and 2015 and later formed a brigade which he also commanded until 2017.
Zini has drawn scrutiny for what critics call his "messianic" outlook – a label he himself embraced in a June speech.
The term is linked to the settler movement who see the occupied West Bank and Gaza as belonging to Israel.
He is a member of the far-right Religious Zionism movement, which is led politically by Israel’s extremist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
His ties to the Israeli far-right originate from his father Rabbi Yosef Zini, who is a member of the extreme right-wing Noam party.
Opposes ending the war
Zini has expressed alignment with the Netanyahu government’s ambitions in Gaza in private meetings and has reportedly opposed captive release negotiations. He also described Israel's assault on Gaza as "an eternal war," remarks that provoked anger among relatives of captives.
The war is nearing the end of its two years and has killed over 66,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly civilians.
There have been two pauses in fighting, but Israel has pushed forward with the offensive and announced plans to occupy the Gaza Strip.
A new peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump which Netanyahu has agreed to is being studied by Hamas.
Of the 50 captives still believed to be held in Gaza, Israel says around 20 are still alive. Some were killed in Israeli strikes.