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Former IDF chief of staff Dan Shomron. (BauBau Archives) Last update - 16:39 26/02/2008 Dan Shomron, ex-IDF chief and Entebbe raid commander, dies at 70 By Haaretz Service Tags: Dan Shomron, Israel, IDF  Former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Dan Shomron, who as an officer presided over the famous Entebbe rescue operation, died Tuesday at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. The 70-year-old Shomron was hospitalized three weeks earlier after suffering a serious stroke. President Shimon Peres paid tribute to the former army chief, saying that "Dan Shomron was one of the most original and brave commanders the IDF has known. His impact will remain in the IDF's development." Advertisement "Dan Shomron was a brave-hearted warrior who left his stamp on the fighting spirit of the Israeli army, with some of the most daring operations in its history," Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in a statement. "His death is a loss to the whole of Israeli society." Shomron served as the IDF's 13th chief of staff, from 1987-1991, commanding the army through the first Palestinian intifada and through the years in which Iraq fired Scud missiles at Israel. As head of the army's southern command between 1979 and 1983 he oversaw the withdrawal of troops from the Sinai peninsula following Israel's historic 1979 peace treaty with Egypt. Shomron was rushed to Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv on Feb.5 suffering from a stroke and never recovered, spokeswoman Aviva Shemer said. Born on a kibbutz near Kinneret in 1937, Shomron enlisted as a paratrooper in 1955 and fought in the Sinai campaign the following year, when British, French and IDF troops invaded Egypt after it nationalized the Suez Canal. The Six Day War saw him back in the Sinai fighting Egyptian troops again. According to his military resume, he was the first IDF paratrooper to reach the canal. By 1974 he had reached the rank of brigadier general and was put in command of the paratroopers and infantry. Two years later, he headed the daring Entebbe mission, when his commandos flew into the Ugandan airport under the cover of darkness and rescued more than 100 hostages held by Palestinian and German hijackers on a Air France jet. The flight, which was full of Israeli and Jewish passengers, had originated in Tel Aviv a week earlier. The successful raid became the subject of a number of Hollywood movies, including "Raid on Entebbe," in which Shomron was played by Charles Bronson. After leaving the military in 1991, Shomron became chairman of state-owned arms manufacturer Israel Military Industries. He was called out of retirement in 2006 to head an internal military inquiry focusing on the General Staff's performance during the Second Lebanon War. Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who was Shomron's deputy before succeeding him as chief of staff, said he was one of the army's most outstanding field commanders, and its bravest, in recent decades. "I knew him for many years, since we were both young captains," Barak said. "I loved him very much, I loved working with him." Related articles: Former IDF chief Dan Shomron hospitalized for apparent stroke Ex-IDF chief: Lebanon war was fought without clear objective Books: Still fighting over Entebbe Bookmark to del.icio.us   Chicken or the egg? A UN human rights expert says Palestinian terror 'inevitable' result of occupation. A reason to kvell Jews are America's top-earning religious group, according to a new survey.   1.   Baruch Dyan Emmet 13:10  |  Avraham 26/02/08   2.   Dan Shomron z"l 15:17  |  Johnny Weintraub 26/02/08   3.   May you rest in peace my brave comander 15:25  |  Yoel 26/02/08   4.   DAN SHOMRON 15:37  |  THE TEACHER/INSTRUCT 26/02/08   5.   commader , love for his people. 15:54  |  Gabriel 26/02/08   6.   GOD BLESS ISRAEL 15:56  |  baba lalou 26/02/08   7.   Maj.Gen. Dan Shomron. z"l 16:24  |  Stephen. 26/02/08   8.   we need to find the courage that Dan Shomrons generation had 19:10  |  zionist forever 26/02/08   9.   My thoughts goes to the family 19:42  |  dovale 26/02/08   10.   DAN SHOMRON Z"L 22:11  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/02/08   11.   "THE LAST CHAPTER HAS NOT YET BEEN WRITTEN" 22:14  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/02/08   12.   ANOTHER WAR CRIMINAL DIES WITHOUT FACING JUSTICE 20:20  |  JACKAL 27/02/08

Today Online Shmuel Rosner: Can Obama restore the Black-Jewish alliance? Responses: 62 Poll: Most Israelis back direct talks with Hamas on Shalit Responses: 77 Japanese PM to Haaretz: Response to Iran must be resolute Responses: 37 Jewish groups mull UN racism meet after Israel decides to skip Responses: 105 Amira Hass: For Palestinians, an unarmed struggle would be suicide Responses: 105 Rosner's Domain Can Obama restore the Black-Jewish alliance? Jews mostly stay Jewish (WTR) Would Obama be supportive of an Israel governed by Likud? Poll: Is it time for Israel to end the blockade in Gaza? Obama`s top adviser says does not believe in imposing a peace settlement More Headlines 21:26 Israeli killed in massive Qassam barrage on Negev 20:12 Olmert: No one in Hamas will be immune against war we wage 17:37 Rights group slams IDF probe into deadly Beit Hanun shelling 20:26 PM: Iran nukes not inevitable; Russia: We may back sanctions 19:53 Gazans told to boil drinking water as chlorine supply down due to blockade 21:48 Visiting Lithuanian FM gets harsh letter from Yad Vashem 20:46 Shas MK Benizri's aide opens envelope filled with white powder 17:57 Report: Top Iran cleric slams Ahmadinejad's 'coarse' attacks on Israel 20:42 Women's groups protest court approval of Katsav plea bargain 14:37 MKs back bill to block porn, gambling sites for Israeli surfers 15:10 Obama: I'm a 'stalwart friend' of Israel, its security is 'sacrosanct' Previous Editions Select Day 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb

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