החלפת סגן הרמטכ"ל
החלפת סגן הרמטכ"לצילום: דובר צה"ל

Gen. Yair Golan replaced Maj. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot as the IDF's Deputy Chief of Staff Monday, in a special ceremony held in current IDF Chief of Staff Gen. Benny Gantz's office. Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon was also in attendance. 

Golan is replacing Major General Gadi Eizenkot, who in turn is replacing Gantz as IDF Chief of Staff over the coming weeks. 

''Yair, you are probably already beginning to discover some things that you have not seen [yet] as a Commander," Ya'alon stated. "You arrive with a file replete with experience and your long history of service."

"The position of deputy chief of staff is something else," he continued, noting that it would be an "enormous challenge" and a "huge endeavor" given the current security situation. 

Gantz also welcomed Golan to the position.

''You come with a lot of experience, and I have no doubt you will demonstrate the wisdom to serve the role correctly," Gantz stated. "This  is not a simple time to be appointed at all, probably just from the perspective of resources, where most of your power should be, and bigger challenges that require change." 

Eizenkot also gave a short address, noting that he was leaving the position to Golan and that the appointment had been made with high spirits.

"I am convinced that you will put a new spirit, a fresh take and make significant contributions to the General Staff and the IDF," Eizenkot said.

Eizenkot also addressed Gantz, who will be stepping down from the Chief of Staff position shortly.

"I want to express appreciation to you, Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, after 30 years of service," he said, commending Gantz "for the way you lead the IDF staff."

"I think that [as Chief of Staff,] the general staff, and the army under your command, has a professional atmosphere, a businesslike [atmosphere], with a high level of requirements and high standards, and you created an extraordinary atmosphere, and I am convinced that this will continue in the future," he continued.

"I expect to take greater responsibility and continue to strengthen the army and the security of the State of Israel."