Israel's military chief of staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, has announced his resignation in March following the failure to prevent the October 7 attack. In a letter addressed to Israel's prime minister and defense minister, Halevi expressed his responsibility for the IDF's shortcomings on that day. He highlighted the military's achievements in restoring Israel's deterrence and strength but acknowledged the need to step down.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had set a deadline for internal military probes into the failure, prompting Halevi's decision to resign. This marks a significant departure of an Israeli official linked to the security establishment's failures during the attack. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, has deferred accountability until after the war.
Following the announcement, Netanyahu thanked Halevi for his service and command of the IDF. The resignation comes amidst a ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza, with discussions for a permanent end to the conflict set to begin soon.
In his letter, Halevi expressed regret for the lives lost and the impact on Israeli citizens. He acknowledged the heavy toll of the attack and took responsibility for the military's failure to protect the nation.
Pressure from far-right nationalist ministers, who criticized his approach to the conflict in Gaza and the West Bank, also influenced Halevi's decision. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich considered resigning over his opposition to the Gaza ceasefire but opted to stay after assurances from Netanyahu to continue military operations.
Additionally, Major General Yaron Finkelman, the Commanding Officer of Israel's Southern Command, submitted his resignation, citing his failure to protect the western Negev region and its residents during the October 7 incident.
