The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have announced the appointment of Major Ella Waweya as their new Arabic-language spokesperson, making her the first Muslim to hold this role.

Major Ella Waweya will present the IDF’s positions in Arabic across various platforms, the army said Tuesday. She has been serving as deputy spokesperson in the IDF’s Arabic Media Division.

According to the Jerusalem Post, Major Ella Waweya will replace Colonel Avichay Adraee, who has been the IDF’s Arabic voice for nearly 20 years.

Waweya , 36, is an Arab Muslim born in the Israeli city of Qalansawe near Tel Aviv, home to a large Arab Muslim community. She joined the IDF’s Information Directorate in 2013 and recently led its Arabic media desk.

Known on social media as “Captain Ella,” she creates videos in Hebrew and Arabic to engage directly with audiences in the Middle East. Her combined TikTok and Instagram following is around half a million.

Israeli media reports that Waweya worked at a hospital in Kfar Saba at age 22, and joined the Israeli army two years later, initially keeping her enlistment private from her family.

After completing basic training, she began serving as a non-commissioned officer in the IDF’s Information Directorate on the Arabic desk. She was promoted to officer rank two years later and in 2015 received an award for “Best Soldier” from the President of Israel.

Reports say that upon assuming her new position, Major Ella Waweya will be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, becoming the highest-ranking Muslim officer in the Israeli army.