IDF to set up special commando brigade

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot announced on Monday the creation of a new commando brigade that will unite several of the military’s elite units — Maglan, Duvdevan, Egoz and Rimon.

The new brigade will be under the command of Division 98, the paratroopers’ reserve service division.

The brigade will be headed by an officer of the rank of colonel.

Maglan is a special artillery unit of the Division 98, which uses several types of secret guided missile technologies. Egoz is the elite platoon of the Golani infantry brigade. Duvdevan is an elite undercover commando unit, until now under the command of the West Bank’s Judea and Samaria Division. Rimon is the elite platoon of the Givati infantry brigade.

The announcement came alongside a slew of promotions of top commanders who served in Operation Protective Edge.

Golani Brigade commander Colonel Ghassan Alian, who was wounded during the summer conflict, will be promoted to brigadier general and will become chief infantry and paratroopers’ commander.

Givati Brigade commander Col. Ofer Winter will be promoted to OC Central Command and Col. Ofer Levi will be promoted to OC Southern Command. Both men will also be given the rank of brigadier general.

Several other officers were given new positions on Monday. Field commanders who were heavily involved in fighting during Protective Edge featured prominently among the promoted generals.

The promotions came as the prime minister, president and defense minister marked the one-year anniversary of the operation.