New Israeli army chief takes office

By Abdel Raouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi took office on Tuesday as Israel’s new army Chief of Staff, replacing Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot.

Kochavi’s swearing-in ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a host of ministers and officials.

Kochavi, 55, served in the Paratroopers Brigade and was promoted to several positions until he became commander of the Northern Brigade.

He was the commander of the firepower unit, the commander of the Gaza Brigade, the head of the Operations Division in the Israeli Military Intelligence Service, before chairing the same body.

He also served as the deputy chief of staff.

Kochafi holds a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University.