Israel Defense Minister Approves New Central Command Chief

Defense Minister Israel Katz has approved the recommendation of IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir to appoint Maj. Gen. Dudo Bar Kalippa as the next commander of the IDF Central Command. The appointment is slated to take effect in 2027, contingent on the operational situation.

Bar Kalippa, currently serving as the head of the Manpower Directorate, will succeed Maj. Gen. Avi Blout in the significant role. This appointment follows a period of public debate surrounding the current Central Command chief, after Minister Katz had previously announced his intention to appoint Bar Kalippa in a television interview, a move that generated considerable controversy.

In parallel with Bar Kalippa's appointment, a comprehensive personnel discussion was held at the General Staff, led by Lt. Gen. Zamir. During this meeting, dozens of senior IDF appointments were determined, all subject to the Defense Minister's final approval. Notable among these were appointments to lead special operations, technology and logistics, and various divisions and brigades, including the Golani, Barak, and Fire 282 brigades.

Further appointments were made within the infantry brigades, including new commanders for the Givati, Nahal, Paratroopers, Commando, Kfir, and Bnei Or brigades. The Navy also saw new appointments for the commanders of Flotilla 13, the Submarine Flotilla (Flotilla 7), and the Missile Ship Flotilla (Flotilla 3).

Additional senior appointments were confirmed for roles in training and education, including commanders for the Artillery School and the Combat Engineering School. Appointments were also made for the Southern and Northern Command's operations officers, as well as heads of operational planning and planning departments within the General Staff. Several senior officers were also selected for advanced studies.