IDF General Dudo Bar Kalippa Tapped to Lead Central Command in 2027

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. Bar Kalippa is slated to assume the role in 2027, following an operational assessment of the situation on the ground. The decision was finalized during a personnel discussion led by the Chief of Staff on Monday, which also outlined a broad range of appointments for senior command positions within the Israel Defense Forces. All major appointments are subject to the final approval of the Defense Minister.

In addition to the Central Command appointment, several other key positions were decided. Brig. Gen. R will become commander of the Special Operations Unit in Military Intelligence (Aman), and Brig. Gen. Chaim Kefir Magnazi will head the Technology and Logistics Directorate's staff. Col. Elad Ben-Enu Tzion will be promoted to brigadier general and appointed head of the Logistics Division in the Technology and Logistics Directorate (ATAL). Col. Avi Malka will also be promoted to brigadier general and appointed commander of the Central Supply Depot. Col. Jonathan Schneider will be promoted to brigadier general and appointed head of the Telecommunications Division in the Planning Directorate.

Further appointments include new commanders for ground force brigades and various branches. Col. Jonathan Meir will command the Saar Golan Division (7), Col. Tal Alkovi will command the Barak Division (188), and Col. Efrat Kikuv will command the 282nd Fire Brigade. Col. Bar Bashan will lead the Givati Brigade, Col. Eitan Gilad the Nahal Brigade, and Col. Ran Friedman the Paratroopers Brigade. Col. Shimon Siso will command the Commando Brigade, Col. Nir Ifargan the Kfir Brigade, and Col. Niv Dauba the Bnei Or Division.

In the Navy, Col. A will command Flotilla 13, Col. B the Submarine Flotilla, and Col. V the Missile Ship Flotilla. Other appointments include Col. Daniel Kreizman as commander of Bislam, Col. Adnirum Sharabi as commander of Bahalatz, and Col. Aviel Balhassan as head of the Training Department in the Ground Forces.

Within regional commands, Col. Anan Faris will serve as the Operations Officer for the Southern Command, and Col. Dvir Avraham Diamond as the Operations Officer for the Northern Command. At the General Staff and various directorates, Col. A will head the Operational Planning Department in Amtz, Col. Y the Planning Department in Agat, and Col. Regina Azulai the Organization Department in Agat. Col. Meir Azulai will lead the Logistics and Operations Department in ATAL, Col. Roi Nadler will become head of the Medical Department and deputy chief medical officer, and Col. Assaf Shlomo Gabai will command the Command and Staff Course 'Afek'. Additional colonels were promoted in the Air Force, Navy, and staff directorates, with other officers slated for further studies.