Aviv Kochavi
“The enemy has morphed from a terrorist group into an army,” says IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi at pilots’ graduation ceremony. • Netanyahu: “We must be able to defend ourselves, by ourselves, against any threat.”
The symbolism involved in firing on Israel’s largest metropolis and economic hub is a direct challenge to Israeli deterrence.
In the next full-scale conflict against terrorist entities, it might be difficult for either side to declare an absolute victory. Nevertheless, it will be vital for each side to secure the appearance of one.
Whatever was hit in Syria by Israel may have belonged to a category known as “time-critical targets.” That could mean that imminent plans were in place to move the target to a place where it would be harder to strike.
Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi becomes 22nd chief of staff in ceremony at Kirya military headquarters • IDF “expresses what is best in the people,” he says • Netanyahu: “You are carrying a heavy responsibility. The goal is clear—to retain superiority over our enemies.”
A Saudi report quoted an unnamed senior Israeli official as saying that the government had rejected recommendations by Military Intelligence to topple the Syrian regime, potentially by assassinating Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi will replace current IDF Chief Gadi Eizenkot, who is due to retire on Jan. 1.
Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi, currently the Deputy IDF Chief of Staff, has a long and impressive military record, and holds several university degrees.
