Ariel Gonen

Ariel Gonen (; born 7 December 1986) is an Israeli military officer holding the rank of colonel in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He currently serves as the commander of the Samaria Brigade. Previously, he served as commander of the Gefen Battalion and as commander of the Givati Reconnaissance Unit.

Biography Gonen is the son of Shabtai and Yaffa. He volunteered for the Givati Reconnaissance Unit in November 2005 and successfully completed the unit's training pipeline. In 2008, he attended the IDF Infantry Officers Course, after which he was appointed as a team commander in the Givati Reconnaissance Unit.

On 27 May 2009, Gonen was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident while traveling from the Golan Heights to southern Israel, after colliding with a truck.

In 2023, he completed his tenure as reconnaissance unit commander and was appointed commander of the Gefen Battalion, a position he held for one year. During this period, he led the battalion in combat operations in the Gaza Strip as part of the Iron Swords War.

On 21 August 2024, Gonen was promoted to the rank of colonel and assumed command of the Samaria Brigade.

Personal life Gonen is married to Avital and is the father of two children.