Israel Police Commander Amir Cohen Retires After Four Decades

Amir Cohen, Commander of the Israel Police's Central District, announced his retirement on Thursday, concluding a nearly four-decade career in uniform. Cohen held numerous command positions within the Border Police (Magav) and the Israel Police. A significant part of his service was during the October 7th Hamas attacks, when he was commander of the Southern District. In the early hours of the assault, Cohen recognized the widespread infiltration of terrorists into southern communities, not just rocket fire. At 6:41 AM, he declared "Peresh Pleshet," a code to mobilize forces for a multi-front terrorist infiltration. He later went to Sderot and participated in the battle for the police station there, sustaining injuries from shrapnel in his eye and two bullets in his back, but continued to operate. Despite his wounds, he proceeded to Ofakim to address a hostage situation and subsequently returned to Sderot, ordering the demolition of the police station where terrorists had holed up. Cohen commanded police forces across various southern fronts that day and was later chosen to light a torch at Israel's 76th Independence Day ceremony. His career began with his enlistment in the Border Police in 1988. He held various field and command roles, including commander of the Alon unit in the Northern Border Police, company commander in the West Bank Border Police, battalion commander in the Jerusalem Envelope Border Police, deputy commander of the Northern Border Police, and operations officer for the corps. During his service, he was involved in an operation that exposed a terrorist cell responsible for the murder of Oleg Shaiht and other attacks. In February 2021, he was appointed commander of the Border Police with the rank of Superintendent, and in 2023, he moved to command the Southern District. In November 2025, it was decided he would be appointed commander of the Central District, the position he currently holds.