Effie Defrin

Israel's 'Captain Ella,' highest-ranking Muslim officer, named IDF's new Arabic spokeswoman

Major Ella Waweya, known as "Captain Ella," will replace Col. Avichay Adraee as the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson, taking charge of Arabic outreach across platforms.

Maj. Ella Waweya, the new Arabic language spokesperson, pictured on July 7, 2024.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir with the parents of Ran Gvili.

'We are doing everything to bring Ran back': Zamir meets parents of Ran Gvili at IDF's Kirya HQ

IDF spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin is seen in a switch-over ceremony in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 27, 2025

IDF spox.: Iran protests an internal matter, but Israel ready to respond to surprise attack

IDF troops operate in Gaza City, September 16, 2025.

WATCH: IDF says two divisions pushing deeper into heart of Gaza City


WATCH: IDF releases details of damage to Iran's nuclear, missile production sites

IDF Spox. Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin warned that despite the success of the operation in preventing Iran's existential threat to Israel, the regime would still attempt to destroy Israel.

 Map showing the range of Israeli strikes on Iran, June 27, 2025.

Former IDF spox. Daniel Hagari returns to retirement after temporary wartime stint

Following the outbreak of the war with Iran, Hagari was brought back by the current IDF Spokesperson, Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin from discharge leave.

 Brigadier-General Daniel Hagari, former IDF spokesperson.

Despite doubts from US intel, Israel pushed Iran's nuclear program back years - IDF

Virtually all experts also believe that until Iran or any third parties dig through the rubble of the Fordow nuclear, no one will know conclusively how badly the nuclear centrifuges were damaged.

A satellite image shows airstrike craters covered with dirt at the Natanz Enrichment Facility, following US airstrikes, in Natanz County, Iran, June 24, 2025