Brigadier General Barak Hiram has been appointed as the new head of the Operations Directorate in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The appointment took place in a unilateral ceremony. This follows the dismissal of the previous head, Brigadier General Israel Shomer, from the IDF. Shomer’s dismissal was a consequence of an inappropriate relationship with a female officer. Hiram previously commanded the Gaza Division. The IDF has not released further details regarding the nature of the relationship that led to Shomer’s removal. This leadership change occurs during a period of ongoing regional security concerns.