IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz (far left) with a reserve division that held a joint-training drill at the Tzalim base, involving forces from the Israel Air Force, Armored Corps, Paratroopers Brigade and Artillery Corps. Credit: IDF.IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz (far left) with a reserve division that held a joint-training drill at the Tzalim base, involving forces from the Israel Air Force, Armored Corps, Paratroopers Brigade and Artillery Corps. Photo: IDF.

Ynet – Maj.-Gen. Sami Turgeman officially took over as the head of the IDF Southern Command on Thursday, replacing Maj.-Gen. Tal Russo, who is retiring after 35 years of service.

During a ceremony at the Southern Command headquarters in Beersheba, with the participation of IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz and other senior officers, Turgeman, 49, said “the past few years, and even the past few days, have taught us about the high level of sensitivity of the southern arena and its influence on security and the sense of security in many parts of the country.

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