The military says that IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir will not be replacing Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth at this time, despite Defense Minister Katz announcing his replacement.
In a statement, the military says, accurately, that the defense minister does not have the authority to fire Bluth, and that the announcement was “not coordinated” with Zamir.
“The chief of staff has no intention of replacing commanders in key positions during this sensitive period, and if such a decision is made by the chief of staff, it will be approved in accordance with procedures,” the military says in a statement.
The IDF adds that “Bluth commands Central Command in a complex reality, with professionalism, courage, and dedication, and is fully trusted,” after Katz denounced him live on television.
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