Israeli cabinet approves Gadi Eizenkot as new military chief

The Israeli cabinet approved the appointment of Gadi Eizenkot as the new chief of staff of the country's defence forces Sunday.

Eizenkot, who now serves as the deputy chief of staff will replace Benny Gantz Feb 15, Xinhua reported.

Last week, a government committee that vets senior appointments in the civil service confirmed the nomination.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Eizenkot as "the right man at the right time and place" to lead the military in the face of "great challenges" surrounding Israel.

The nomination came at a time of heightened tensions along the country's frontiers with Syria and Lebanon.

Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon had appointed Eizenkot as the 21st chief of staff of the Israeli Defence Forces Nov 28.

Noting that Israel in the coming years will face "the most complex" security challenges, Ya'alon had said that Eizenkot was the most suitable officer to lead the military in facing those challenges.

Eizekot, 54, began his military career in "Golani", one of the regular army's four infantry brigades.

In 1999, he was appointed as the military secretary to the then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and was later promoted to key command posts.