Brig. Gen. Yisrael Shomer, the chief of the Operations Division, suddenly requested to step down and retire from the military “due to personal circumstances,” the Israel Defense Forces said on Tuesday evening.

The officer was reportedly suspected of “moral offenses” and was questioned by the Military Police, although the IDF did not comment on those allegations as of yet.

The IDF said Shomer’s commander, Maj. Gen. Itzik Cohen — the head of the Operations Directorate — accepted his request. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir also approved Shomer’s “request for immediate retirement, and he will therefore retire from service immediately.”

Until a permanent replacement for Shomer is made, the head of the Planning Department in the Operations Directorate, a colonel, will serve as head of the division, according to the IDF.

Shomer’s role is considered one of the most critical parts of the IDF’s functioning. The Operations Division is tasked with coordinating and formulating plans for war, emergencies, and routine operations, along with directing the various branches of the military regarding the deployment of troops.

The unit, which is based out of the IDF’s main underground command........

© The Times of Israel