Jerusalem – Israel has sworn in a new military chief of staff who is taking over command of the country’s armed forces amid a tumultuous period in the region.
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Gadi Eisenkot was promoted to Lt. Gen., the military’s highest rank, on Monday. He succeeds Benny Gantz, whose four-year-term expired, as Israel’s 21st military chief.
Eisenkot held key posts during a three-decade military career and developed a reputation as level-headed during a war against Hezbollah in 2006.
Eisenkot takes the reins following the Gaza war last year and amid tensions on Israel’s border with Lebanon and Syria, as well as simmering tensions in Palestinian territories after peace talks collapsed.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Eisenkot he won’t have “a single day of grace,” pointing to Iran and regional upheaval as challenges he faces.
