Worldwide Web WorldTribune.com

  breaking... 


Monday, February 18, 2008       Free Headline Alerts

New Israeli air force chief seen key to plans on Gaza

TEL AVIV — The Israeli military has approved the appointment of Maj. Gen. Ido Nehushtan as the new commander of the Israel Air Force.

Military sources said Nehushtan would play a major role in the military's plans for an invasion of the Gaza Strip. The sources said a plan for a comprehensive invasion of Gaza and the destruction of the Hamas regime has been approved by Ashkenazi and Barak and required confirmation by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

The selection by Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, and confirmed by Defense Minister Ehud Barak, would mean the installation of Nehushtan in his new post in March, Middle East Newsline reported.

Also In This Edition

Nehushtan, outgoing chief of the military's Planning Branch, replaced Maj. Gen. Eliezer Shkedy who ends his four-year term as air force commander. Shkedy presided over the air force during the 34-day with Hizbullah in 2006.

The 51-year-old Nehushtan spent much of his career as a combat pilot, flying the F-4 and F-16 warplanes. He later commanded F-16 squadrons and "developed unique night-time operational capabilities and highly accurate weaponry," a military statement said.

Military sources said Nehushtan would play a major role in the military's plans for an invasion of the Gaza Strip. The sources said a plan for a comprehensive invasion of Gaza and the destruction of the Hamas regime has been approved by Ashkenazi and Barak and required confirmation by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Hours after Nehushtan's appointment, a senior Islamic Jihad commander was killed in a blast in the central Gaza Strip. The blast destroyed the home of the apparent target, Ayman Fayed, and damaged six adjacent homes.

Fayed, his wife and three of his sons were killed in the Palestinian refugee camp of Bureij. Three of Fayad's neighbors also died, and another 80 were reported injured.

Palestinian sources said Fayed's three-story house was used to store Kassam-class missiles. Jihad said an F-16 aircraft dropped a bomb on Fayed's home. Israel denied any involvement in the bombing.



About Us     l    Contact Us     l    Geostrategy-Direct.com     l    East-Asia-Intel.com
Copyright © 2008    East West Services, Inc.    All rights reserved.