The Israeli Central Command (Hebrew: פיקוד מרכז, Pikud Merkaz), often abbreviated to Pakmaz (פקמ"ז), is a regional command of the Israel Defense Forces. It is responsible for the units and brigades located in the West Bank (under the West Bank Division), Jerusalem, the Sharon, Gush Dan, and the Shephelah.
The commander (Aluf) of the central command is the one who is authorized to declare new cities in the Judea and Samaria Area.[1]
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During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the Central Command was in-charge of the war efforts against Jordan, particularly on the road to Jerusalem, occupying the "Small Triangle" (east Sharon), Lod, and Ramla. During the Six-Day War, the Command led the occupation of the West Bank from Jordan. As of the First Intifada, the Command primarily engages in security and counter-terrorism activities, as well as more conventional military measures, in the West Bank.
Towards the end of 2010 the deployment of IDF troops in and around the West Bank reached a new quantitative low with only six infantry battalions serving where "dozens" were required during the first Intefada.[2]
It is currently headed by Aluf Avi Mizrahi.
All commanders of the Central Command were ranked Aluf (Major General).
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