As Ynet reported earlier, Halutz decided to promote Lieutenant Colonel A. to the role of Colonel and intelligence officer of the Southern Command.
Sources in the IDF explained that following the report and following criticism by military officials, the chief of staff, who authorized the promotion, changed his mind and decided to suspend the appointment until the end of the operational investigation into the kidnapping.
On Sunday, Ynet reported that Lieutenant Colonel A. will begin serving as the intelligence officer of the Southern Command within a few days and will be promoted to Colonel.
The decision to immediately promote Lieutenant Colonel A. at the Southern Command was made after the current intelligence officer was forced to leave his job due to personal reasons, and the intelligence department was forced to find a replacement on a short notice. Lieutenant Colonel A., who served in a senior position in the Southern Command in the past, was eventually chosen.
IDF officers were surprised by the lieutenant colonel's promotion, in light of the fact that an internal military investigation may implicate him in responsibility for the failures leading to the kidnapping and the death of eight soldiers.
IDF officials praised the chief of staff's decision to suspend the promotion and pointed out that it was an appropriate decision, even if it was made at the last minute, after the appointment has already been approved by the intelligence branch and the chief of staff in the past few days.