Waweya will lead the charge in an arena where the “war of words” is as critical as any kinetic operation.

By The IDF Club

In a significant step for the IDF’s strategic communications, Major Ella Waweya has been appointed as the military’s next Arabic-language spokesperson.

The announcement, made Tuesday following a senior assignments review, confirms that Waweya—already the highest-ranking Muslim Arab woman in the IDF—will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel as she prepares to lead the unit.

Waweya, widely known to audiences as “Captain Ella,” will succeed Col. Avichay Adraee, who is stepping down after two decades in the position. Her promotion marks a transition to a new era for the IDF’s outreach to the Arab world, a mission she has been part of since enlisting in 2013.

Her ascent is a testament to a career defined by unwavering duty and resilience. A Muslim Arab from Kalansuwa, spent years navigating the complexities of her service with a soldier’s discipline.

Her path was forged in secret; she famously concealed her enlistment from her family for over a year before her uniform was discovered, eventually emerging as a powerful symbol of loyalty to the state. “I am the face of the IDF now in my society,” she has noted, emphasizing a service rooted in dignity and the defense of the country.

As she prepares to assume command of the Arabic media front, Lt. Col. (res.) Waweya will lead the charge in an arena where the “war of words” is as critical as any kinetic operation.

Inheriting a platform that reaches millions, she will be responsible for articulating the IDF’s operational resolve, issuing life-saving directives to civilian populations in conflict zones, and countering regional propaganda.

By placing a seasoned, Arabic-speaking officer at the helm of this mission, the IDF reinforces its commitment to psychological deterrence and narrative clarity, ensuring that Israel’s message remains loud, clear, and undisputed across the Middle