Israeli Military Chief Resigns Over Failures in 7 October Hamas Attack
Israel’s top military commander, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, has announced his resignation, citing his accountability for the military’s shortcomings during the 7 October 2023 Hamas assault, a devastating attack that led to the outbreak of the Gaza war.
In his resignation letter to the defense minister, Halevi acknowledged the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had failed to safeguard Israeli citizens. “My responsibility for this terrible failure is something I will carry with me every day, every hour, for the rest of my life,” he wrote.
Halevi plans to step down on 6 March, noting that while the IDF has achieved “significant milestones,” not all of the country’s war objectives have been met. He affirmed the military’s ongoing mission to weaken Hamas, secure the release of hostages, and support the return of Israelis displaced by violence.
Southern Command Chief Also Steps Down
Following Halevi’s announcement, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, head of the IDF’s Southern Command, also resigned. He admitted to failing in his “duty to protect the Western Negev and its heroic residents.”
These resignations come just days after a ceasefire agreement and a prisoner-hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas. The truce follows an intense period of conflict triggered by Hamas’s large-scale attack, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 hostages.
Missed Warnings and Aftermath
Reports indicate Israeli military and intelligence officials missed or dismissed warnings before the 7 October attack, during which hundreds of Hamas fighters breached Israel’s Gaza border, attacking nearby communities, IDF installations, and even a music festival. The IDF retaliated with a large-scale air and ground operation in Gaza, which the Hamas-run health ministry claims has killed over 47,100 Palestinians.
In a televised address, Halevi stated that Hamas’s military capabilities had been significantly reduced, with most of its leadership and about 20,000 operatives killed. However, he admitted that a full inquiry into the military’s role in the attack is still underway. He promised the investigation would be “high quality, thorough, and fully transparent” but emphasized it would only cover the IDF’s actions, leaving broader issues to external commissions.
Political Responses and Unresolved Questions
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude for Halevi’s service, crediting the IDF for achieving “major successes for Israel.” However, Netanyahu has not taken personal responsibility for the failures of 7 October, stating only that he faces “tough questions” and suggesting that any independent investigation should wait until the war concludes.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid praised Halevi’s decision to step down and called for Netanyahu and his government to follow suit, blaming them for the crisis.
Ceasefire Developments and Challenges Ahead
Halevi remains in charge as the IDF oversees a three-phase ceasefire deal. This agreement involves the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza’s densely populated areas, and the gradual return of displaced Palestinians to their homes.
The ceasefire’s initial phase, lasting six weeks, has already seen the release of several hostages, with more expected in the coming days. The subsequent phases aim to secure the release of remaining hostages, ensure a full Israeli withdrawal, and achieve “sustainable calm.”
Rebuilding Gaza is set to be the focus of the final phase, with reconstruction efforts expected to take years. However, doubts persist about whether all aspects of the deal will hold. New U.S. President Donald Trump, who brokered the agreement, expressed skepticism about its full implementation.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu has stated that Israel retains U.S. support to resume military action if the ceasefire proves ineffective, leaving the future of the conflict uncertain.
