JERUSALEM — Lt. Col. Daniel Ella, a former commander of the Israel Defense Forces’ 52nd Battalion, will temporarily return to lead the unit after its current commander was wounded in southern Lebanon, the military said Wednesday.

Ella previously commanded the 52nd Battalion, part of the 401st Armored Brigade, and was moderately wounded during fighting in Gaza in July 2024. He was succeeded by Lt. Col. Yehuda Shalev, who was severely wounded in October 2024. Ella then briefly served as acting commander until the latest battalion commander assumed the role. That officer was seriously wounded in combat in southern Lebanon on Tuesday.

The IDF confirmed Ella will again serve as acting commander of the battalion.

The 52nd Battalion has seen intense combat in both the Gaza Strip and along the Lebanon border since the outbreak of the current wars. Israeli forces continue operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.