Former IDF Ground Forces chief Kobi Barak dies aged 61

Former Ground Forces chief Maj. Gen. (res.) Kobi Barak has died at the age of 61.

Barak served in the IDF from 1982 till 2019, holding several senior roles. He began his service in the Armored Corps.

As a colonel, he headed the now-defunct 847th “Steel Chariots” Reserve Armored Brigade and the 401st Armored Brigade — during which the latter brigade received the Merkava Mk. 4 tanks.

As a brigadier general, Barak was chief of staff at the Ground Forces, the commander of an armored division that later became the 210th “Bashan” Regional Division, and head of the Operations Division.

In 2012, he was promoted to major general and appointed to head the Technological and Logistics Directorate. In 2016, he was moved to head the Ground Forces before his retirement in 2019.

After leaving the military, Barak served as chairman of a pre-military academy in Mitzpe Ramon and as honorary president of the Little Heroes non-profit, which helps individuals with special needs volunteer in the IDF.

“We were privileged that he agreed to take the reins and serve as chairman of our association, and we are all deeply, deeply pained by his untimely passing,” says the Asher Ruach Bo pre-army preparatory.

He is survived by his wife and three children.