Bucking Katz, IDF chief announces round of military appointments

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir announces a round of appointments in the military, promoting several officers to command divisions and other senior roles.

The list announced by Zamir includes 14 officers promoted to brigadier general, four promoted to colonel, as well as eight brigadier generals and two colonels who are moving to new positions at the same rank.

The appointments are conditioned on the approval of Defense Minister Israel Katz, the military says.

Katz earlier said he would not be approving the promotions because Zamir held a discussion on the matter “without prior coordination and agreement.”

Many of the promoted officers were commanders of brigades and divisions that took part in the fighting in the Gaza Strip and on other fronts.

Some of the notable appointments include:

Gaza Division chief Brig. Gen. Barak Hiram, who will head the Operations Directorate’s Operations Division

Chief of staff at the Southern Command — including ahead of the October 7 onslaught — Brig. Gen. Manor Yanai, who will be chief of staff at the Ground Forces

36th Division chief during the war, Brig. Gen. Moran Omer, who will head the Planning Directorate’s Planning Division

Head of the Military Intelligence Directorate’s Operational Operations Division, Brig. Gen. Manny Liberty, who will command the 98th Division

146th Division commander during the war, Brig. Gen. Yeftah Norkin, who will head the 36th Division

Tzeelim training base head, Brig. Gen. Eliad Moati, who will command the 210th Division

7th Armored Brigade commander during the war, Col. Elad Tzuri, who will head the 99th Division

401st Armored Brigade commander during the war, Col. Beni Aharon, who will command the 146th Division

Givati Brigade commander during the war, Col. Liron Betito, who will head the Gaza Division

Bahad 1 officers’ school commander, Col. Eliav Elbaz, who will command the 252nd Division

Nahal Brigade commander during the war, Col. Yair Zukerman, who will head the Company and Battalion Commanders Course

Kfir Brigade commander during the war, Col. Yaniv Barot, who will head the Tzeelim training base

188th Armored Brigade commander during the war, Col. Or Vollozinsky, who will head the Armored Corps

Yahalom combat engineering unit commander during the war, Col. Eli David, who will head the Combat Engineering Corps