Former Israel Air Force Chief Major-General Dan Harel has been appointed as the new IDF Deputy Chief of Staff. He will be replacing Major-General Gabi Ashkenazi, who will be on educational leave. Maj.-Gen. Harel's new commission is seen as placing him in line as a contender to replace IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Ya'alon when he steps down. Maj.-Gen. Ashkenazi is also seen as a contender for the top military slot.
In an unrelated story, the military prosecutor's office has decided to charge a battalion commander in connection with the unwarranted deaths of an adult and three children, residents of Palestinian Authority-controlled Jenin. In June 2002, an IDF tank operating in the city fired and killed the three PA Arab civilians. A company commander was already charged in the case last year, but the current decision will raise the level of responsibility for the incident to battalion level.
In an unrelated story, the military prosecutor's office has decided to charge a battalion commander in connection with the unwarranted deaths of an adult and three children, residents of Palestinian Authority-controlled Jenin. In June 2002, an IDF tank operating in the city fired and killed the three PA Arab civilians. A company commander was already charged in the case last year, but the current decision will raise the level of responsibility for the incident to battalion level.