Yitzhak Cohen

Yitzhak "Itzik" Cohen (; born in 1977) is an IDF officer with the rank of Aluf (equivalent to Major General) who served as head of the Operations Directorate. Previously, he served as the commander of the Steel Formation, the commander of the 80th Division, the Sinai Division, the Givati Brigade, the Judah Formation, the Arava Formation, the Givati Brigade's training base, and the Tzabar Battalion.

Biography

Cohen was born and raised in Jerusalem. He enlisted in the IDF in 1995 and was placed in the Rotem Battalion of the Givati Brigade. He underwent infantry combat training, completed an infantry commanders’ course, and an officers' course. After finishing the course, he returned to the Rotem Battalion as a company commander. He then served as a battalion commander in the Givati Brigade between 2002 and 2003, leading the unit in combat against Palestinian political violence during the Second Intifada in the Gaza Strip. Later, he became the deputy commander of the Givati reconnaissance unit between 2006 and 2007. Afterward, he went to pursue higher education and returned to the Givati Brigade as the operations officer, serving in this role between 2008 and 2009, including during Operation Cast Lead. when he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier general.

On August 4, 2021, he was appointed as the commander of the 80th Division. On May 18, 2022, he was also appointed as the acting commander of the Sinai Division, serving in this role until August 2022. During his tenure as the commander of the 80th Division, he was reprimanded following a shooting incident on the Israel-Egypt border in which three soldiers were killed, due to his overall responsibility and lack of oversight in implementing procedures. He served in this position until August 6, 2023.

On 5 March 2025, Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir appointed him to replace Oded Basyuk as chief of the IDF Operations Directorate. He was also set to be promoted to major general.

Personal life Cohen resides in Negba, is married to Chava, and is a father of four. He is a graduate of the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya in Government and Strategy and holds a degree in political science from the University of Haifa.