Israel military intelligence chief quits over 7 October

 Israel military intelligence chief quits over 7 October

The head of intelligence for the Israeli military has resigned, claiming responsibility for the mistakes made prior to Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel. Major General Aharon Haliva of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that he would retire after a successor was chosen.

 His intelligence directorate "failed not live up to the responsibility we were tasked with," he admitted in a letter. The attack was the deadliest in Israel's history, and he is the first high-ranking official to resign in response. A music festival, military installations, and neighboring Israeli communities were attacked by hundreds of Hamas gunmen that day after Israeli military and intelligence officials disregarded or overlooked several w According to Israeli tallies, about 1,200 Israelis and foreigners—mostly civilians—were killed, and 253 others were taken as hostages back to Gaza. In response, Israel declared war on Gaza, the hardest war it had ever waged, with the intention of eliminating Hamas and freeing the hostages.arnings.

The conflict has claimed the lives of over 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza, the majority of them women and children, according to the health ministry run by Hamas.

 

Their warnings went unheeded; they served as Israel's "eyes on the border."

How Hamas assembled a force for October 7th attack on Israel

Maj Gen Haliva "requested to end his position, following his leadership responsibility as the head of the intelligence directorate for the events of 7 October," according to a statement released by the IDF on Monday.

 

"I carry that black day with me ever since, day after day, night after night," the general wrote in his resignation letter. I will always be burdened by the terrible suffering caused by the war."

A state commission of investigation that "may study and find out in a full, in-depth, complete and precise manner all the factors and conditions that contributed to the unfortunate events" was another proposal he made.

 

He went on, "I did everything I could for the people of Israel and the State of Israel when I was in the IDF."

 

Given that he had declared ten days after the attack that he was solely responsible for his directorate's intelligence shortcomings, Maj Gen Haliva's resignation was expected.

 

Still, the statement paves the way for more expected backlash from Israel's senior security authorities.

Although they have accepted responsibility for their failure to safeguard Israelis, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, the chief of staff of the IDF, and Ronen Bar, the director of the Shin Bet security organization, have chosen to remain in Gaza for the duration of the conflict.

 

Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, declared that "everyone will need to submit answers, myself included." He has, nevertheless, thus far declined to take direct accountability.

 

The leader of the opposition, Yair Lapid, stated on X (previously Twitter) that while Maj Gen Haliva's resignation was "legitimate and honorable," Mr. Netanyahu "should have done the same."