Israel Defence Chief Resigns Over October 7 Hamas Attack, Accepts 'Security Failures'

Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), has announced his resignation, citing security failures that enabled Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023.

Halevi, the highest-ranking official to resign in response to the incident, informed Defence Minister Israel Katz that he would step down on March 6. In a statement, he said he was leaving the military after "recognising my responsibility for the failure of the IDF on October 7."

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The announcement was made on Tuesday, shortly after a fragile ceasefire with Hamas in the Gaza Strip took effect. Despite the ceasefire, Hamas has re-emerged in the streets, maintaining its control over Gaza following a devastating 15-month conflict.

In his statement, as reported by Israeli media, Halevi committed to "transfer command of the IDF in a high-quality and thorough manner to my replacement." He intends to oversee investigations into the Hamas attack during his remaining tenure.

Halevi noted his departure comes "at the point in time in which the IDF has recorded significant achievements and is in the process of implementing an agreement to release hostages."

Halevi's resignation is likely to heighten calls for a public inquiry into the events of October 7, according to the Associated Press. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose leadership may come under scrutiny in such an inquiry, has insisted that any investigation should be deferred until the war concludes.

Reports suggest Halevi clashed with Defence Minister Katz over the war's strategy. While Halevi asserted that Israel had achieved most of its objectives, Katz reiterated Netanyahu's pledge to pursue "total victory" over Hamas.

Maj Gen Yaron Finkelman, the IDF's head of southern operations, has also announced his intention to resign.

The conflict began when Hamas-led militants launched an attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and abducting 250 others. Over 90 hostages remain in Gaza, with a third believed to have died.

Israel's military response has resulted in the deaths of more than 47,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health officials. Women and children account for over half of the fatalities, although the proportion of combatants among the dead is unconfirmed.