Israel - July 8, 2024

IDF: Attached is an IDF announcement regarding the exchange ceremony of the Commanding Officer of the Central.

MG Avi Bluth assumed the position of Commanding Officer of the Central Command, replacing MG Yehuda Fox, who held the position for the past three years, and will be released from the IDF after 37 years of service. The exchange of commanders ceremony was held this evening (Monday) at the Central Command headquarters in the “Nehemiah” camp, led by the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, and with the participation of members of the General Staff Forum, heads of authorities, families and other invitees.

From the words of the outgoing Commanding Officer of the Central Commander, MG Yehuda Fox: "Citizens of Israel should know: the IDF has excellent male and female soldiers, male and female commanders. Spirited and full of courage. The strength of mind of the soldiers of the 98th and 99th Divisions who have been operating for many months in Gaza, and at these very moments, as well as the soldiers of the Judea and Samaria Division, is one testament to this. I did as much as I could to protect the residents of the State of Israel and the residents of the area, I took seriously every stone and Molotov Cocktail that was thrown, and I saw myself as responsible for every person who was injured in body and soul, each and every one that fell pained me. Unfortunately, in recent months as well as in the past week, nationalist crime has reared its head, and under the cover of the war and the drive for revenge, it has sown chaos and fear among Palestinian residents who posed no threat. Regrettably, the local leadership and the spiritual leadership for the most part, did not see the threat as we did. They are intimidated and do not find the strength to come out openly and act according to the values of Judaism which they teach their children. Even if the perpetrators are a minority, those who remain silent in the face of their crimes do not exclude them and their actions from the general rule and thereby introduce criticism towards everyone. This is not Judaism in my eyes. At least, it is not the Judaism I grew up with in my parents' home. Avi, I wish you great success in your role. You come here with a backpack full of values, professionalism, and rare commanding skills. In many ways, you are coming home, to your own home. You are aware of the magnitude of the responsibility. I have seen your backbone put to the test and I am confident and calm that considerations irrelevant to the matter will not divert your path."

From the remarks of the Commanding Officer of the Central Command, MG Avi Bluth: "These days are complex days, days of war! Humbly, responsibly, with the joy of action and with holy fear, I take command of one of the most complex and volatile regions - and all this while a multi-arena war threatens our existence here as a sovereign and safe country. Complexity has always been ingrained into the Central Command, and in particular it has existed in the last two and a half years since Operation Break the Wave, and even more so since the start of the 'Swords of Iron’ war. The multi-front campaign threatens to spill over into the command's area, but thanks to offensive, intensive, and innovative operational activities, alongside supreme efforts in defense, the Axis of Evil has so far failed to achieve its schemes. This complexity requires a different way of thinking! Dear Yehuda, you carried all this complexity on your broad shoulders for the last three years, and as someone who was a close companion most of the way, I can testify you did it with impressive success. You learned, along with our partners in the other security organizations and with the help of excellent commanders and soldiers, to leave the command as a secondary arena and I receive from you today a sharp, strong and professional command. Commanders and soldiers of the Central Command, and our many partners, I know you very well, I cherish you very much and know that I am receiving an unusual group of principled and committed people. It is important to me that you know that I believe in you, and I am very happy that you are my partners in the very challenging road ahead of us. Together we will do and succeed."