Brig. Gen. (Res.) Hagai Mordechai
Fellow, International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), Reichman University; Co-Founder & CEO, Trango-sys; Former Chief of Staff, IDF Ground Forces & Commander, Judea and Samaria Division, Israel
Brig. Gen. (Res.) Hagai Mordechai is a fellow at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) at Reichman University. He is currently the Co-founder and CEO of Trango-sys, a role he has held since 2018. He brings extensive leadership and operational experience from a distinguished military career in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), where he served in multiple senior command positions.
From 2013 to 2015, Brig. Gen. Mordechai served as Chief of Staff at the IDF Ground Forces Headquarters, where he led the force buildup process of the Ground Forces and its various components. He was responsible for managing large-scale formations across the IDF, encompassing extensive staff, resources, and infrastructure. In this capacity, he led, planned, and executed strategic and tactical processes and operations.
Between 2011 and 2013, he commanded the Judea and Samaria Division (West Bank), overseeing its brigades and units with responsibility for ensuring the security of the Israeli population and preventing terrorism in the region. He led high-performance counterterrorism operations under constant uncertainty, while maintaining quality of life for all populations in the area.
From 2009 to 2011, Brig. Gen. Mordechai served as Commander of the “Pillar of Fire” Northern Reserve Division, where he was responsible for building the division’s readiness and capabilities to defend Israel’s northern border and combat Hezbollah. He emphasized leadership, accountability, and effectiveness while leading large military formations.
Between 2007 and 2009, he commanded the IDF Military College of Tactical Command, overseeing the academic and military training of selected officers. He was responsible for preparing students for future leadership roles within combat units. Prior to this, from 2005 to 2007, he led the 35th Paratroopers Brigade, including during the 2006 Second Lebanon War, where he ensured operational effectiveness and timely delivery of mission objectives.
From 2002 to 2005, Brig. Gen. Mordechai commanded the Judea Brigade (Hebron Region) during a critical period marked by the outbreak of Palestinian terrorism. He held strategic and operational responsibility for the region, formulating operational concepts, defining unit identity, and protecting sensitive strategic infrastructure. Under his command, significant operational achievements were made in preventing terrorist activity.
Earlier in his career, from 2000 to 2002, he served as Bureau Head to the Chief of the General Staff, General Shaul Mofaz, during the Second Palestinian Intifada. In this capacity, he managed complex and strategic military projects during a time of widespread terrorism and unrest.
Brig. Gen. Mordechai’s career has been defined by his ability to formulate vision, define policy and strategy, and lead both strategic and tactical operations. He is recognized for driving and motivating troops toward excellence, maintaining strong working relationships with policymakers, senior leadership, and field commanders.
He attended the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he further developed his strategic and operational insight.
