Former chief of staff Amnon Lipkin-Shahak is dead
The former IDF Chief of Staff Amnon Lipkin-Shahak passed away Wednesday, aged 68, at Hadassah Hospital, in Ain Karem Jerusalem, after a long battle with cancer. In 1995, he became the Israeli Defense Forces’ 15th chief of staff after a varied service as commander of the elite Sayeret Duchifat, the paratroops brigade in which he had served in the ranks, the central command, head of military intelligence and deputy chief of staff. Amnon Lipkin-Shahak was twice awarded the Oz decoration for bravery. As a civilian, he became co-founder of the Center Party and served as Tourism Minister while also a popular commentator on military affairs. He is survived by his wife and five children.