Aviv Kochavi

Aviv Kochavi was born in 1964 in Kiryat Bialik

Kochavi was born in Kiryat Bialik in 1964 to Shaul and Riva Kochavi, a shop owner and a physical education teacher. His paternal grandfather came from Kraków and was one of the founders of Kiryat Haim. He grew up in Kiryat Bialik and was a member of the HaMahanot HaOlim youth movement.

He holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He also earned a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University and a master's degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University.

He was drafted in 1982 and joined the Paratroopers Brigade, which he later commanded from 2001 to 2003, including in Operation Defensive Shield. He then commanded the Gaza Division and headed the Operations Division. He headed Military Intelligence from 2010 to 2014 and the Northern Command from 2014.

In 2017 he became Deputy Chief of the General Staff, and in 2019 he became Chief of the General Staff. He led the IDF in Operation Black Belt, Operation Guardian of the Walls and Operation Breaking Dawn. He handed over the post to Herzi Halevi in 2023.

Kochavi is married and has three daughters. He lives in Adi in northern Israel.