A New Commander for the Northern Command
14.08.25
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MG Rafi Milo assumed the position of Commander of the Northern Command, replacing MG Ori Gordin, who served in this role for the past three years.
The change of command ceremony was held yesterday (Wednesday) at “Dado” Base, led by the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, and attended by commanders, soldiers, families, and other guests.
From the remarks of the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir: “In all arenas of the command, an unprecedented and historic change has taken place — from a renewed deployment in the Lebanese arena to the strengthening of defensive and offensive systems in light of developments along the Syrian border.
Gordin,
You have been a fighter all your life, from the moment you enlisted in the reconnaissance unit, through your command of brigades and divisions, in a series of senior positions in the IDF, and up to joining the General Staff table. I want to thank you for decades of service and for defending the country you served, and under whose guiding principles you led the command to unprecedented security achievements in one of the most significant campaigns the State of Israel has ever known.
Rafi,
you come to this role after one of the most significant tenures in the Home Front Command. Under your leadership, the command will continue to shape the border — prepared and ready, proactive and taking initiative— with powerful capabilities held by a force of people that understand the responsibility resting on their shoulders.
The voice of the IDF is heard loud and unceasing. This is a clear message we convey to our people, and, in a different way, to our enemies as well: the IDF is strong, proactive, strikes, and dismantles threats already in their early stages of formation. This is a new reality we implement not in words, but in actions. The IDF’s actions in all arenas - and in the northern arena in particular - created a renewed balance of power, enabling Israel to ensure today a stable and lasting security reality, as well as the ability to prepare properly for future challenges.”
From the remarks of the outgoing Commander of the Northern Command, MG Ori Gordin: “Our imperative is to preserve the good security situation in the north and to thwart any threat that attempts that form, from the north or the east. This difficult war has further strengthened and deepened the integration and alliance between the army — the defensive force — and its residents, and the heavy costs have turned this alliance into a bond of blood.
Rafi, I am confident that you will know how to preserve this alliance. This is the second time I am handing you the baton, and this time I am even more confident in you and your abilities. There is an outstanding group here of men and women, in both regular service and the reserves, with dedication, commitment, and readiness unmatched anywhere in the world. The reservists, in the headquarters and in the combat units, return to serve and operate time after time, enlisting when called — and mainly because ‘the call was heard.’
The north is more secure today than on any other day in recent decades. Now is the time not only to rebuild the infrastructure, the economy, and the communities — now is the time to upgrade and bring about true growth and prosperity. This is a great national opportunity that must not be missed!
Preserve the security, not the quiet (that will come in time). Preserve unity and camaraderie. Preserve our north, and I will conclude — in this land a generation has risen, the generation of victory.”
From the remarks of the Commander of the Northern Command, MG Rafi Milo: “I know that the security reality is fragile. We must continue, preserve, and deepen the achievements of the war, shape a safe and improved security reality, maintain freedom of action, and complete the safe and confident return of all northern residents to their homes. Together with you, my fellow heads of the local authorities, we will turn this special region into a growing, flourishing, and thriving area.
For about a year, under your leadership, the command stood the test of the most difficult war — a defensive war. Within the defensive effort, you managed to strike and weaken Hezbollah, then move to the offensive and achieve a decisive victory, a clear and unequivocal win over Hezbollah, an achievement that dramatically impacted the Syrian arena as well.
The war is not yet over. We will continue with determination until we achieve all the war’s objectives, until we decisively defeat Hamas, until we bring back all 50 hostages. This is the foremost moral and ethical mission. We will maintain freedom of action and will continue to strike, damage, and dismantle any threat.”
