He replaces Lt Gen Gabi Ashkenazi, who took over the Israel Defence Forces after the botched 2006 war with Hizbollah, the radical Shia group in southern Lebanon.

His tenure won praise in Israel, where Gen Ashkenazi is credited with restoring the IDF’s power to deter enemies while preparing the forces for threats ranging from Iran’s nuclear programme to armed groups such as Hizbollah and Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist movement.

These challenges are also likely to dominate the term of his successor, starting next February. However, Gen Galant may also have to devote some attention to the IDF’s international standing, damaged by accusations of abuses during the Gaza war and by the assault on a convoy of ships carrying aid to the territory in May. Nine pro-Palestinian activists were shot dead by Israeli commandos in the assault.

The appointment of Gen Galant was preceded by a succession battle – apparently involving dirty tricks and fake documents – that has dominated the headlines in Israel and tarnished the IDF’s otherwise towering public standing...