IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot speaks at a conference at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya January 2, 2017. (Flash90)
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot was hospitalized Thursday in order to undergo a planned medical treatment, according to the army.
The treatment at the Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva is due to take place “in the coming hours,” a Thursday morning statement said.
The army refused to divulge the nature of the treatment, citing Eisenkot’s right to privacy, but said he is expected to be released from hospital in a few days.
The ailment was discovered by his doctor two months ago, but has not affected his ability to serve, an IDF source said.
The announcement was made because Eisenkot, 56, will be unable to serve as chief of staff while he recovers. Maj. Gen. Yair Golan, the deputy chief of staff, will serve as acting head of the army in his stead.
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Newly appointed Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman alongside IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot during a ceremony welcoming him to the Defense Ministry, May 31, 2016. (Ariel Harmoni/Ministry of Defense)
On Wednesday, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman announced he had decided to extend Eisenkot’s tenure as head of the IDF for a fourth year, pending final approval from the government.
The position of IDF chief of staff is a three-year position, though it can be extended by one or, on rare occasions, two years.
The cabinet will vote on Eisenkot’s extended tenure on January 29, according to Liberman’s office.
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Eisenkot became chief of staff in February 2015, taking over for retiring Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz.
Judah Ari Gross contributed to this report.
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