JERUSALEM, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Israel Wednesday unexpectedly removed its military chief ahead of the government's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip.
The government said Chief of Staff Gen. Moshe Yaalon will not be granted a one-year extension as previous military chiefs were.
"He will have served as chief of staff for the three years designated by law, without an extension for a fourth year," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Yaalon will continue in his job until the middle of the year when Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank goes into effect.
Israel Radio said the decision to remove Yaalon was made by Sharon and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz. Relations between the defense minister and Yaalon have been frosty.
Yaalon was seen as outspoken and has on occasion criticized government policy.
