Herzi Halevi

Herzi Halevi. He is the 23rd and current Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), appointed in January 2023. A highly decorated officer, Halevi has held numerous senior command and intelligence positions, including head of the Southern Command and Director of the Military Intelligence Directorate. His tenure as the top military commander has been defined by the ongoing 2023 Israel–Hamas war.

Early life and education

He was born in 1967 in Jerusalem to a religious Zionist family. Halevi studied at the Yeshivat HaKotel and later at the Yeshivat Har Etzion hesder program, combining Torah study with military service. He earned a bachelor's degree in Philosophy and a master's degree in Public Administration, both from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His academic work also includes studies at the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth and the Harvard Kennedy School's program for senior executives in national and international security.

Military career

Halevi began his service in 1985 as a paratrooper in the 35th Paratroopers Brigade. He later joined the elite Sayeret Matkal reconnaissance unit, eventually becoming its commander. His early command posts included leading the 890th Paratroopers Battalion during the First Intifada and the Second Intifada. He served as commander of the 35th Paratroopers Brigade and later as the head of the 98th Paratroopers Division. Halevi held key staff positions, including Deputy Commander of the IDF's Depth Corps and Chief of Staff for the Central Command. He commanded the 2008–2009 Gaza operation as the Gaza Division commander and later served as head of the Military Intelligence Directorate (Aman), where he oversaw assessments during Operation Protective Edge.

Chief of the General Staff

Appointed by then-Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Minister of Defense Benny Gantz, Halevi assumed the role of Chief of the General Staff on January 16, 2023, succeeding Aviv Kochavi. His tenure began during a period of heightened tensions, including operations against Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza and escalating violence in the West Bank. The defining event of his leadership has been the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, which began with the October 7 attacks by Hamas. Halevi has led the IDF's extensive military campaign in the Gaza Strip, including the Battle of Gaza City and operations in Khan Yunis. He has publicly accepted institutional responsibility for the failures leading to the October 7 attack and has frequently briefed the media alongside figures like Yoav Gallant and Daniel Hagari.

Personal life

He is married to Shira, a pediatrician, and they have four children. The family resides in Kfar HaOranim, a community in Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut. Halevi is known for maintaining his religious observance while serving in the secular command structure of the Israel Defense Forces. His brother, Sharon Halevi, is a professor of American studies at the University of Haifa.

Awards and decorations

Throughout his career, Halevi has received several of the IDF's highest commendations. These include the Medal of Distinguished Service for exceptional courage and leadership during a classified operation. He has also been awarded the IDF Chief of Staff's Award of Appreciation on multiple occasions for his command performance in various campaigns, including Operation Pillar of Defense and Operation Protective Edge. His service ribbons denote participation in the 2006 Lebanon War and other major conflicts.

Category:1967 births Category:Living people Category:Israeli military personnel Category:Chiefs of the General Staff (Israel)