On Friday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi revealed a new round of military appointments, which included 11 new brigadier generals and four new colonels, alongside transfers of 25 officers to new positions. However, Katz approved all the appointments except for those of Col. Ephraim Avni, the former head of operations at Southern Command, and Col. Almog Dadon, the former head of combat engineering at the same command.
Katz stated that their promotions would be held up until the internal IDF investigation into the October 7 onslaught is completed and their performance during the attack is evaluated. He emphasized that this inquiry would not be part of a state commission of inquiry, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has opposed.
Both officers had been appointed to high-ranking positions: Avni was set to head the Paratroopers Brigade, while Dadon was nominated to lead the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit. Katz also mentioned his intention to meet with the families of soldiers killed during the attack, including the family of Cpl. Noa Marciano, a surveillance soldier who was taken hostage and later killed by Hamas.
In addition to this, Katz confirmed the promotion of Brig. Gen. Nadav Lotan to the role of IDF Ground Forces commander, a position previously held by Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai, who resigned in September.
Promotions in the IDF following the October 7 attacks have sparked criticism from some coalition members, with accusations that Lt. Gen. Halevi should not be overseeing appointments given his perceived failure during the attacks.
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