Israel's defense minister says he has selected a new military commander. The new chief of staff will be Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant, who led Israel's Gaza offensive last year as head of the military's Southern Command. Galant will replace the current chief, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, early next year. Defense Minister Ehud Barak announced the appointment on Sunday. The appointment is expected to win formal government approval next week, the Associated Press reported.