Nochi Mendel

Nochi Mendel was born in 1969

Nahum (Nochi) Mendel was born in 1969 in Ashkelon. His mother came from a pioneer family from Gedera, and his father, Moshe Mendel, was a Holocaust survivor born in Hungary in 1935. He studied at the Ateret Cohanim yeshiva in Jerusalem.

He joined the Golani Brigade's Battalion 12 and rose from platoon to company commander. He later served as operations officer of the Maglan unit and deputy commander of Nahal's Battalion 50. From 2003 to 2005 he commanded the Haruv Battalion, then held posts in Nahal and the Judea Brigade.

Promoted to colonel in 2008, he commanded the Lachish training base and the Jerusalem reserve brigade, then the Jordan Valley Brigade from 2010 to 2012. From 2013 to 2016 he was deputy commander of the Gaza Division, including during Operation Protective Edge. He then left regular service.

He became head of the Defense Ministry's unit for settlement and national infrastructure. In February 2020 he was named acting head of the National Emergency Management Authority for 3 months, during the coronavirus outbreak.

In the Swords of Iron War he fought at Kibbutz Kerem Shalom and served as Nahal Brigade chief of staff. On 4 April 2024 the chief of staff removed him after the killing of World Central Kitchen workers. He is married, has 6 children and lives in Karmei Tzur.