Gaza commander replacement put off due to clashes
Swearing-in ceremony of new Gaza Division chief, Brigadier-General Eyal Eisenberg, postponed in light of 'possibility of continued attempts by Hamas and terror elements to disturb stability in the region'. Popular Resistance Committees: IDF in panic over our modest rockets
Outgoing Gaza Division Commander Brigadier-General Moshe Tamir will remain in office until the situation in the Strip cools down, it was decided on Thursday, the day Brigadier-General Eyal Eisenberg was scheduled to be sworn in as Tamir's replacement.
The decision was made by IDF Southern Command Chief Major-General Yoav Galant and Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi, following days of tension around the Gaza Strip and a number of clashes between Palestinian gunmen and Israeli soldiers.
Military sources explained the decision came in light of "the possibility of continued attempts by Hamas and terror elements to disturb stability in the region". The swearing-in ceremony was rescheduled for some time next week, barring any irregular incidents.
This is an exceptional move, as no long term operations are being carried out inside Gaza and there is no daily fighting. In addition, the incoming commander already underwent the overlap period, and is very familiar with the territory from his past post as Givati Brigade commander.
Military sources said postponing the ceremony for a few days was not a problem, and it was best that the current commander, who has much experience in the field, remain in post a few more days until the situation cools down.
Brigadier General Tamir, who is considered to be an esteemed officer, will be ending his term and is expected to travel abroad for a year of studies. Tamir is also awaiting the military advocate general's ruling in his case where he was accused of letting his son drive a military vehicle and trying to cover up the consequential accident.
The military advocate general will determine whether Tamir should receive a criminal or disciplinary trial, which could determine his future in the IDF, including his possible promotion to major general.
'Victory to Palestinian resistance'
A spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees said in response to the delay in the swearing-in ceremony, "This is another victory to Palestinian resistance."
The spokesman, Abu Mujehad, told Ynet on Thursday afternoon, "This is a message to the enemy that it is terrified by the modest rockets in the Palestinian people's possession and is in a state of panic because of them.
"But this is not just a moral victory. It is also a military victory over those claiming to be the most glorious army in the region."
Abu Mujehad added, "This only goes to prove that the rockets yield results, causing confusion and fear among the enemy. In fact, the enemy admits once again that it has been defeated in light of the modest tools and means in the hands of the resistance organizations."
The spokesman for the PRC, one of the organizations involved in the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, said that "the Israeli escape today is also a message to those Palestinians who ridicule the missiles.
These people only believe in negotiations which never yielded results, while our tools and rockets make the enemy lose time after time and admit to its defeat. The entire Palestinian nation supports the resistance and its tools."
Asked whether the organization fears a possibility of a wide-scale IDF operation in the Strip, Abu Mujehad replied, "The enemy is not the only one preparing. We're preparing too.
"We believe the next war will be the toughest and most painful one of all. We have several modest surprises in store, but they'll be enough to bring another defeat upon the enemy."
He stressed, however, that the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian organizations did not collapse because of the latter.
"Those who were not committed to the truce are those who killed 11 fighters since it took effect. Therefore, we in the Resistance Committees won't agree to continue the truce.
"As far as we are concerned, the countdown for the period after the truce has begun, and we are preparing for it."
Ali Waked contributed to this report
