After cancer operation, IDF chief returns to work

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot was expected to return to work Wednesday after doctors removed a cancerous growth from his prostate last month.

Surgeons at Petah Tikva’s Beilinson Hospital completed Eisenkot’s surgery on January 19, having discovered the tumor late last year.

The prostatectomy appears to have been a success. The army chief was sent home to continue the recovery process until he returned to work.

While Eisenkot, 56, was incapacitated, his deputy, Maj. Gen. Yair Golan, served as acting head of the military.

The army initially refused to divulge the nature of Eisenkot’s condition, citing his right to privacy, but following the operation, the army revealed that he had a form of prostate cancer.

The tumor was discovered by his doctor two months ago, but had not affected his ability to serve, an IDF source said.

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman announced last month he would 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.

Eisenkot became chief of staff in February 2015, taking over for retiring Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz.