Yaron Finkelman

Yaron Finkelman
Finkelman in 2023
Native name
ירון פינקלמן
Born (1975-04-25) April 25, 1975 (age 49)
Ra'anana, Israel
Allegiance Israel
Service / branch Israel Defense Forces
Years of service1993–present
RankMajor general
UnitParatroopers Brigade
Commands35th paratroopers Brigade's Reconnaissance battalion, reserve Paratrooper Brigade, Regional Brigade in the Gaza Division, Givati Brigade, 98th Paratroopers Division
Battles / wars
Finkelman (center) explaining to Home Front Command Commander Tamir Yadai (right) and Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi (left) about the food distribution operation by the Fire Formation in Bnei Brak during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020
Finkelman (left) at the ceremony of his appointment as Head of the Operations Division, October 2020. Outgoing division head Yaniv Assur on the right and Operations Directorate Commander Aharon Haliva in the center

Yaron Finkelman (Hebrew: ירון פינקלמן; born April 25, 1975) is an Israeli major general who commands the Southern Command of the Israel Defense Forces. Previously, he served as the head of the Operations Division at the Operations Directorate, Commander of the Fire Formation, Commander of the Givati Brigade, Commander of the Northern Brigade in the Gaza Strip, Commander of the Half Fire Formation, and Commander of the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Battalion.

Three months after assuming the role of Major General, the Simchat Torah Massacre occurred, marking the beginning of Operation Iron Swords. Since then, Finkelman has commanded the battle in the Gaza Strip against terrorist factions, primarily Hamas.