LBCI

Israel names new chief for its armed forces

World News

29-11-2014 | 12:18

Share

Share

Israel names new chief for its armed forces

2^min

Israel on Saturday announced the appointment of a new chief of staff of its armed forces, Major-General Gadi Eisenkot, who has spent much of his operational career confronting Hezbollah guerrillas in southern Lebanon.

Eisenkot, 54, currently deputy to incumbent chief of staff, Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz, will take over in February when Gantz completes his four-year term.

Eisenkot was the senior commander of forces along Israel's northern border with Lebanon and Syria and among a several other top positions, served as military attache to former prime minister Ehud Barak.

Described by top officers as a level-headed, quiet thinker, Eisenkot rose through the ranks in the infantry. Apart from commanding forces along the southern Lebanon border, in more junior roles he also led troops in the occupied West Bank.

In an interview in 2008, Eisenkot warned that Israel would use "disproportionate" force to destroy Lebanese villages from which Hezbollah guerrillas would fire rockets at its cities in any future war. He later clarified that the civilian population should be evacuated before such an attack.

During a month-long war in 2006, Israel accused Hezbollah of firing rockets from civilian homes in southern Lebanon, as did human rights groups which also criticized Israel for using excessive force resulting the deaths of civilians.

"Eisenkot has been picked from a group of excellent generals to lead the military in the complex defensive challenges that Israel faces. On behalf of all Israel's citizens, I wish him success," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

REUTERS

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Dispute between Lebanon’s prime minister and defense minister under discussion, sources say

08:21

Dispute between Lebanon’s prime minister and defense minister under discussion, sources say

Mamdani, leftist opponent of Trump, sworn in as New York mayor

2026-01-01

Mamdani, leftist opponent of Trump, sworn in as New York mayor

Lebanon says 10 killed including three emergency workers in Israeli strikes on south

2026-04-11

Lebanon says 10 killed including three emergency workers in Israeli strikes on south

US-Israeli airstrikes target two steel plants in Iran

Middle East News

2026-03-27

US-Israeli airstrikes target two steel plants in Iran

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Lebanon has not agreed to shortlist of countries that could verify Hezbollah's disarmament: Reuters

1

Lebanon has not agreed to shortlist of countries that could verify Hezbollah's disarmament: Reuters

Ali al-Taher hills: Between military confrontation and surrender scenario

2

Ali al-Taher hills: Between military confrontation and surrender scenario

Dispute between Lebanon’s prime minister and defense minister under discussion, sources say

3

Dispute between Lebanon’s prime minister and defense minister under discussion, sources say

Lebanon Cabinet approves fees on waste-generating products despite ministerial objections

4

Lebanon Cabinet approves fees on waste-generating products despite ministerial objections

A new force for Lebanon's south? The debate over who will monitor the next phase after UNIFIL

5

A new force for Lebanon's south? The debate over who will monitor the next phase after UNIFIL

Explosion rocks ammunition factory near Rome

6

Explosion rocks ammunition factory near Rome

Lebanon presidency denies media reports on Aoun-Trump meeting

7

Lebanon presidency denies media reports on Aoun-Trump meeting

Lebanon announces dates for 2026 vocational education exams for private candidates

8

Lebanon announces dates for 2026 vocational education exams for private candidates

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More