IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz has decided on Tuesday to appoint Deputy Chief of General Staff Maj.-Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky as his representative in the Northern Command for the duration of the war.
Kaplinski was appointed to supervise and coordinate activities on the northern front.
OC Northern Command Maj.-Gen. Udi Adam was to remain in his current post, while retaining all of the responsibilities and authorities of the position.
When pressed by Channel 2, Adam expressed some displeasure, but said it was perfectly legitimate to appoint a senior officer, especially when it is a deputy chief of staff, to assist the commander of a front at times of war.
Some senior officers in the Northern Command were reportedly more disturbed. They stated that the nomination was a real hit to Adam's authority. Channel 2 quoted unnamed sources as saying that Adam considered resigning because of the move.
Halutz expressed his full confidence at the capabilities of the IDF's chain of command and in particular those of the Northern Command headed by Maj.-Gen. Adam, an official statement released by the IDF said.
The reason behind the decision was not immediately clear. It may be related to the planned cabinet meeting on Wednesday and the possible approval of a massive expansion of the ground operation up to the Litani River or even further north. |