Gal Hirsch

Gal Hirsch
Gal Hirsch
Native name	גל הירש
Born	Israel
Allegiance	Israel
Service/branch	Israel Defense Forces
Years of service	1982-2006
Rank	Tat aluf (Brigadier general)
Unit	Paratroopers Brigade
Commands held	202 "Tsefa" (Viper) paratroop battalion, Shaldag Unit, Executive officer of the Judea and Samaria Division, Benjamin Regional Brigade, IDF's Central Command's Executive officer, the IDF's Officer Candidate School (Bahad 1), 91st Division
Battles/wars	the First Lebanon War South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000) First Intifada Second Intifada 2006 Lebanon War Operation Cast Lead Operation Pillar of Defense Operation Protective Edge

Gal Hirsch (Hebrew: גל הירש‎‎; born 1964) is an Israeli Brigadier general (Tat aluf) who commanded the 91st Division of Israel Defense Forces during the 2006 Lebanon War.

Military service

Hirsch was drafted into the IDF in 1982. He volunteered as a paratrooper in the Paratroopers Brigade. He served as a soldier and a squad leader. In 1985 he became an as an infantry officer after completing Officer Candidate School and return to the Paratroopers Brigade as a platoon leader. Hirsch fought as a company commander at Operation Law and Order in Lebanon. He led 202 paratroop battalion in South Lebanon and in the First Intifada. Later on he led Shaldag Unit in special operations in Lebanon.^[1]

Then he was assigned as the Executive officer of the Judea and Samaria Division, and was severely injured when terrorists Threw a large rock on his car. Afterwords, during the Second Intifada, he commanded the Benjamin Regional Brigade and later served as IDF's Central Command's Executive officer, during Operation Defensive Shield. Then he was given command on the IDF's Officer Candidate School (Bahad 1).

Hirsch commanded the 91st Division of Israel Defense Forces during the 2006 Lebanon War, including during the Battle of Maroun al-Ras, Battle of Bint Jbeil, Operation Beach Boys, Battle of Ayta ash-Shab and Operation Change of Direction 11.^[2]

References