JERUSALEM, Israel -- Israel Defense Forces Maj.-Gen. Gadi Shamni, a 35-year veteran of the IDF, announced his retirement from the military. 

Shamni recently wound up his service as Israel's U.S. military attaché in Washington. He will be replaced by Maj.-Gen. Yaakov Ayash.

Some speculate that Shamni's decision may be based on IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz reported preference for Maj.-Gen. Gadi Eizenkot as the next deputy chief of staff, often a springboard to appointment as chief of general staff.

Shamni's military career began in 1997. After serving as a commander in the elite Paratrooper's Brigade, his service included a stint as former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's military secretary. He also served as head of  Central Command, which operates in Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley.

In 2009, he began serving as Israel's military attaché in Washington.