Ayub Kayuf

Ayub Kayuf was born in 1984 in Isfiya

Kayuf was born and raised in Isfiya to a Druze family. He attended elementary school in his hometown and later moved to the Hebrew Reali School in Haifa. In high school he joined the military boarding school for command, finishing in 2003.

He enlisted in the Shaldag Unit in 2003 and became a team commander after the infantry officers course, serving in the Second Lebanon War. He later held company commands in Golani's Battalion 13, returned to Shaldag to command operational units, and served as deputy commander of Battalion 12.

In July 2019 he became a lieutenant colonel and commander of Sayeret Golani, and in September 2021 he took command of the Shaldag Unit. In September 2023 he was promoted to colonel and given command of the Menashe Brigade, which he led in the Swords of Iron War. In December 2024 he was moderately wounded by a bomb during an operation in Tulkarm.

In 2025 he became head of the Operations Department in the General Staff and served there during Operation Rising Lion. On 3 June 2026 he was appointed commander of the Golani Brigade.

He holds a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering and management from Shenkar College and a master's degree in international relations from the University of Haifa. He is married to Sally and has 3 daughters. His cousin is the footballer Sharif Kayuf.