The choice of Liberman, Kochavi, approved as the next IDF Chief of Staff

Brigadier General Aviv Kochavi is expected to become the next Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces after approval of his selection by the High Level Advisory Committee on Appointments on Sunday.

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman announced Friday that Kochavi was his choice after deciding that he was "the most appropriate and experienced candidate for the post of Chief of Staff. ", according to a statement from the minister's office.

"The unique combination of the many positions he has held within the IDF, his proven command abilities in times of crisis, the high esteem he enjoys within the IDF, and the great success with which he has carried out missions over the years make it the most appropriate candidate to lead the Israeli army in the years to come, "he added.

Kochavi will take office in early 2019, succeeding General Gadi Eisenkot, who ends his term this year after serving for nearly four years as head of the Israeli army.

Kochavi was head of the northern command of the army and head of military intelligence during the 2014 war against the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in Gaza.

Military commentators have stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not agree with the choice of Kochavi, a graduate of Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University in the United States.

The final appointment of Kochavi to the cabinet must be approved by the Goldberg Committee, where the Minister of Defense will be present Sunday.

Kochavi was born in 1964 and joined the elite brigade of paratroopers in 1982.

Kochavi was head of the northern command of the army and head of military intelligence during the 2014 war against the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in Gaza.

Netanyahu, despite earlier reports of his disagreement with Liberman's choice, hailed the choice of Kochavi, a graduate of Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University in the United States.

"Kochavi is the most worthy candidate to be the next IDF Chief of Staff," Netanyahu said in a statement.

Eisenkot, the current chief of staff, congratulated his deputy for being chosen to succeed him, said the army in a statement, adding that Kochavi was "a distinguished officer with extensive experience of fighting in several theaters of combat ".