IDF shuffles several General Staff positions

Defence affairs analysis

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir completed a revamp of the IDF's General Staff on Tuesday night.

All members of the General Staff, except Zamir, hold the rank of major-general, with new members being promoted to this rank.

In the most important change. Zamir appointed IDF Home Front Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Rafael David "Rafi" Milo as the new IDF Northern Command chief, replacing Maj.-Gen. Uri Gordin.

Gordin had already completed a standard three years in his post, had requested to move on, and after vanquishing Hezbollah in September 2024 and much of Assad's Syrian weaponry in December 2024 has achieved a unique high status within the military.

The switch will take a few months, and after that, Gordin is expected to spend time in military academic studies awaiting an appointment either to head IDF intelligence, currently run by Maj.-Gen. Shlomi Binder, or an appointment as IDF deputy chief of staff, currently held by Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai.

Gordin, Yadai, Milo, and Defense Ministry Director-General Maj.-Gen. (res) Amir Baram may all compete to replace Zamir at the end of his term or to replace his replacement in two terms.

In addition, 91st "Galilee" Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Shai Kalper, a top commander under Gordin on the northern front, was appointed as the next Home Front Command chief, and will be promoted to major-general.

Maj.-Gen. Dan Goldfus, who previously headed the IDF's Northern Corps Reserve Command, will become the new head of the IDF's Depth Corps, responsible for coordinating the IDF's long range operations and operations deep in enemy territory.

In turn, Judea and Samaria Division chief, Brig.-Gen Yaakov "Yaki" Dolf, will replace Goldfus and be promoted to major-general.

Maj.-Gen. Hidai Zilberman, who previously served as the IDF's defense attaché to Washington, as well as IDF spokesperson, will be the next head of the IDF's Planning Directorate.

Brig.-Gen. Dan Noyman will take over the IDF's Military Colleges and be promoted to major-general.

IDF Ground Forces Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Rami Abudraham will take over the Technological and Logistics Directorate and be promoted to major-general.