GOC Southern Command Major-General Tal Russo announced Sunday evening that he will be retiring from military service after 35 years.
GOC Army Headquarters Major-General Sami Turgeman has been named as the next chief of the southern sector.
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Turgeman was recommended for the post by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen Benny Gantz .The nomination was sanctioned by Defense Minister Ehud Barak .
Russo is considered one of the most respected members of the General Staff, and most recently he successfully headed Operation Pillar of Defense .
Russo's decision to retire is believed to have stemmed from the fact that he was passed over for the role of deputy chief of staff; losing to GOC Northern Command Major-General Gadi Eizenkot .
Turgeman's replacement as GOC Army Headquarters will be Brigadier-General Guy Tzur, who currently serves as the head of IDF's Plans and Policy Directorate. Tzur will be promoted to the rank of major-general.
As head of Army Headquarters, Tzur is expected to continue preparing the Ground Forces to the possibility of a third war in Lebanon, or a future ground operation in Gaza Strip.
Both Turgeman and Tzur are expected to take office within several weeks.

