IDF appoints new commander for Battalion 52 after deadly Lebanon battle

The IDF has appointed Lt. Col. G to command Battalion 52, replacing Lt. Col. Dor Gdalia Ben Shimon, who was killed in combat in southern Lebanon last week. The move comes as the battalion is dealing with a major loss, and G is expected to step into Ben Shimon’s role and continue the unit’s operational activity.

According to the military, Lt. Col. G brings broad combat experience. He began his service in the 188th Armored Brigade, served during the war as operations officer for the 215th Fire Brigade, later commanded the control center in the Northern Brigade and fought in Gaza, and last year was responsible for establishing a control center in the Dead Sea area.

The IDF said last week that Ben Shimon fell in battle in southern Lebanon. He was one of four soldiers killed after a tank was hit during an operational mission in the area. The incident took place near the village of Tebenin, when a suspicious target struck the tank of Battalion 52, which was operating under the Givati Brigade combat team. The circumstances are still under operational investigation.

Ben Shimon was married and father to two daughters. He came from a family with a strong combat service tradition, with four of his brothers serving in the 401st Brigade and another brother serving in Golani. His wife serves as a combat officer in the Intelligence Collection and Border Corps. Ben Shimon had only recently taken command of Battalion 52, after replacing Lt. Col. A, who was seriously wounded in fighting in southern Lebanon about three months ago.