Israel’s top general has resigned, citing the “terrible” security and intelligence failures related to Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.
Lt Gen Herzi Halevi is the most senior Israeli figure to resign over the security breakdown when thousands of Hamas-led militants carried out a land, sea and air assault into southern Israel, rampaging through army bases and nearby communities for hours.
About 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the attack and another 250 abducted. More than 90 of those taken captive are still in Gaza, about a third of whom are believed to be dead.
In his letter of resignation, Halevi said the military under his command had “failed in its mission to defend the state of Israel”. Halevi, who began what was meant to be a three-year term in January 2023, said his resignation would go into effect on 6 March.
“On the morning of 7 October, the IDF under my command failed in its mission to protect the citizens of Israel,” Halevi said in his letter.
“The state of Israel paid a heavy and painful price – in human lives, in hostages, and injuries to bodies and souls. The acts of daring heroism by many – security forces, IDF soldiers and commanders, and brave civilians – were not enough to prevent the heavy disaster. My responsibility for this terrible failure accompanies me day by day, hour by hour, and will continue for the rest of my life.”
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