1. Yaron Finkelman is a former Israeli major general who commanded the Southern Command of the Israel Defense Forces until March 2025.
16 Facts About Yaron Finkelman
1. 2.
Since then, Finkelman has commanded the battle in the Gaza Strip against Hamas and their allies.
3.
Yaron Finkelman enlisted in the IDF in November 1993, volunteering for Unit 669.
4.
Yaron Finkelman completed basic training with the Paratroopers Brigade, a medic course, and Unit 669 training.
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Yaron Finkelman completed training as a combat soldier, the Infantry Commanders Course, and the Infantry Officers Course.
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Yaron Finkelman later served as a company commander in the Haruv Battalion.
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Yaron Finkelman then served as the operations officer of the Maglan Unit.
8.
Yaron Finkelman then commanded the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Battalion from 2007 to 2009, leading it in combat against Palestinian terrorism in the West Bank, as well as in Operation Double Challenge, and Operation Cast Lead, both in the Gaza Strip.
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Yaron Finkelman served in this position until April 29,2015.
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Yaron Finkelman served in this role until August 9,2020.
11.
On 21 January 2025, Yaron Finkelman announced that he would resign on 6 March 2025 over the failures of the Southern Command during the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel in 2023.
12.
The campaign led by Yaron Finkelman had to consider several complicating factors: the presence of hundreds of hostages held by Hamas and other terrorist factions, the large civilian population, the entrenchment of terrorist factions within it, the extensive tunnel network of terrorist organizations within the Strip, and other variables.
13.
In March 2024, Yaron Finkelman conducted a war crimes investigation into the unauthorized demolition of al-Isra University in Gaza.
14.
On January 21,2025, Yaron Finkelman announced in a letter to Halevi that he intended to resign from the IDF due to his role in the military's failure during the October 7 attacks; Halevi announced on the same day that he would resign from the IDF for the same reason.
15.
Yaron Finkelman holds a bachelor's degree in Middle Eastern studies and political science, as well as a master's degree in diplomacy and security, both from Tel Aviv University.
16.
Yaron Finkelman is a graduate of the senior leadership program of the Wexner Foundation, Class of 2023.