August 5, 2024
New Commanding Officer of the 99th Division
IDF: BG Yoav Brunner assumed the position of the Commanding Officer of the 99th Division, replacing BG Barak Hiram, who held this position for the past two years and will soon assume the position of the Commanding Officer of the Gaza Division.
The change of command ceremony was held yesterday (Sunday) at Camp "Nachshonim," led by the Commanding Officer of the Central Command, MG Avi Bluth, and was attended by commanders, soldiers, families, and other guests.
Over the past two years, under the command of BG Barak Hiram, the 99th Division participated in dozens of exercises and operations. On October 7th, the division’s troops were deployed to the communities near the Gaza Strip, where they took part in combat within the communities. The division took part in two rounds of operational activity in the Gaza Strip and was activated for the longest period of time as a reservist division in the southern Gaza Strip. The division operated in the Central Gaza Strip Corridor,
eliminating terrorists and destroying many meters of underground tunnel routes.
From the remarks of the Commanding Officer of the Central Command, MG Avi Bluth: "Barak, you have demonstrated courage by moving forward and taking responsibility, you showed courage when making difficult decisions, and you also showed courage in facing the consequences of your actions. More important than the support the IDF or I can express in words is the support expressed in action.
Dear Brunner, welcome to the 99th Division and welcome back to the Central Command. You are joining an elite and combat-ready division whose strength lies in its people, and you arrive with combat experience, values, and professionalism. There is no doubt that you will need all of these given the challenges ahead of us. The personnel of Central Command and I stand by you to provide support and good advice.
From the remarks of the outgoing Commanding Officer of the 99th Division, BG Barak Hiram: “Over the past ten months, amidst the great darkness of war and mourning, we have seen the bright shining lights of Israeli society. The impressive turnout of reservists, the home front's collaboration, the support from the Jewish diaspora - all of these were expressed within the division as well. From the first day of the invasion until now, the division's troops have stood at all borders, defending our country: Regular and reservist soldiers, men and women, from all backgrounds and walks of life. We have fulfilled all the missions assigned to us, as well as those we have taken upon ourselves. Despite the difficulty, sacrifice, and cost, the division has never retreated from its missions.
My dear and longstanding friend Yoav, you receive in your hands a capable and experienced division that is ready for the next mission. From my long acquaintance with you, I have no doubt that you are the right person to lead it forward to the upcoming tasks wherever you are needed. It is clear to me that together, you will continue to write a new chapter in the history of the 99th Division.”
From the remarks of the Commanding Officer of the 99th Division, BG Yoav Brunner: "In recent months, I have studied the division in depth. I met outstanding soldiers, both in regular service and reservists, I met commanders and officers who put others before themselves. I encountered a division headquarters that is proactive, dedicated, and creative, and commanding officers of brigades from the very top ranks of the IDF. Additionally, I met the reservists, the backbone of the 99th Division and Israeli society in general. These are people who give endlessly and make it possible to fulfill the mission and ensure the existence of the State of Israel. I met a division ready for any challenge it faces, a division that has proven itself beyond measure over the past year.
Barak, during the handover, I learned about the division under your command. Many have told me about three qualities that characterize you - humility, integrity, and courage. You have instilled these qualities in the division, and the division is in your image. This is an opportunity to say a big thank you. I have learned a lot from your leadership style, and I wish you success as the Commanding Officer of the Gaza Division."
The change of command ceremony was held yesterday (Sunday) at Camp "Nachshonim," led by the Commanding Officer of the Central Command, MG Avi Bluth, and was attended by commanders, soldiers, families, and other guests.
Over the past two years, under the command of BG Barak Hiram, the 99th Division participated in dozens of exercises and operations. On October 7th, the division’s troops were deployed to the communities near the Gaza Strip, where they took part in combat within the communities. The division took part in two rounds of operational activity in the Gaza Strip and was activated for the longest period of time as a reservist division in the southern Gaza Strip. The division operated in the Central Gaza Strip Corridor,
eliminating terrorists and destroying many meters of underground tunnel routes.
From the remarks of the Commanding Officer of the Central Command, MG Avi Bluth: "Barak, you have demonstrated courage by moving forward and taking responsibility, you showed courage when making difficult decisions, and you also showed courage in facing the consequences of your actions. More important than the support the IDF or I can express in words is the support expressed in action.
Dear Brunner, welcome to the 99th Division and welcome back to the Central Command. You are joining an elite and combat-ready division whose strength lies in its people, and you arrive with combat experience, values, and professionalism. There is no doubt that you will need all of these given the challenges ahead of us. The personnel of Central Command and I stand by you to provide support and good advice.
From the remarks of the outgoing Commanding Officer of the 99th Division, BG Barak Hiram: “Over the past ten months, amidst the great darkness of war and mourning, we have seen the bright shining lights of Israeli society. The impressive turnout of reservists, the home front's collaboration, the support from the Jewish diaspora - all of these were expressed within the division as well. From the first day of the invasion until now, the division's troops have stood at all borders, defending our country: Regular and reservist soldiers, men and women, from all backgrounds and walks of life. We have fulfilled all the missions assigned to us, as well as those we have taken upon ourselves. Despite the difficulty, sacrifice, and cost, the division has never retreated from its missions.
My dear and longstanding friend Yoav, you receive in your hands a capable and experienced division that is ready for the next mission. From my long acquaintance with you, I have no doubt that you are the right person to lead it forward to the upcoming tasks wherever you are needed. It is clear to me that together, you will continue to write a new chapter in the history of the 99th Division.”
From the remarks of the Commanding Officer of the 99th Division, BG Yoav Brunner: "In recent months, I have studied the division in depth. I met outstanding soldiers, both in regular service and reservists, I met commanders and officers who put others before themselves. I encountered a division headquarters that is proactive, dedicated, and creative, and commanding officers of brigades from the very top ranks of the IDF. Additionally, I met the reservists, the backbone of the 99th Division and Israeli society in general. These are people who give endlessly and make it possible to fulfill the mission and ensure the existence of the State of Israel. I met a division ready for any challenge it faces, a division that has proven itself beyond measure over the past year.
Barak, during the handover, I learned about the division under your command. Many have told me about three qualities that characterize you - humility, integrity, and courage. You have instilled these qualities in the division, and the division is in your image. This is an opportunity to say a big thank you. I have learned a lot from your leadership style, and I wish you success as the Commanding Officer of the Gaza Division."
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