ISRAELI troops were not ready for the violent resistance they met when they boarded a Gaza-bound aid ship and killed nine pro-Palestinian activists, the country’s top military officer said yesterday.

Israel’s army chief warned today that Hezbollah guerrillas now have tens of thousands of rockets, some capable of reaching the country’s major cities.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert today warned that Israel would be forced to act if Palestinian militants on Gaza continue to fire rockets at Israel - though he hoped to avert a new conflict.

The new commander of the Israeli army will be reserve general Gabi Ashkenazi, the government said today.

A former deputy chief of staff will become Israel’s new military commander, Israeli media reported today, after another candidate for the job withdrew.