Israeli Military Chief Resigns Following Failure to Prevent Hamas Attack

Tel Aviv – The Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, has resigned from his position, taking responsibility for the failure to prevent Hamas’s deadly attack on October 7, 2023, which sparked prolonged war in the Gaza Strip.

In his resignation letter released by the Israeli military, as reported by AFP and Al Arabiya on Wednesday (Jan 22, 2025), Halevi stated he was stepping down “in acknowledgment of the military’s failure on October 7.”

Halevi mentioned that he was leaving at a time when the Israeli military had achieved “significant successes,” though he acknowledged that “not all the war’s objectives have been achieved.”

“The military will continue to fight to dismantle Hamas and its governing capabilities, ensuring the return of the hostages,” he said.

He added that one unfulfilled objective of the war was to enable displaced Israelis to return to their homes destroyed during the militant attacks.

Major General Yaron Finkelman, the head of Israel’s Southern Command responsible for Gaza, also announced his resignation.

The resignations of both officials come just days after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on Sunday (Jan 19), ending 15 months of intense fighting in the Gaza Strip.

Halevi, in his statement, requested to officially leave his position on March 6.

“Until that time, I will complete investigations into the events of October 7 and strengthen military readiness,” he added.

On October 7, 2023, thousands of Palestinian militants led by Hamas infiltrated southern Israel from the Gaza Strip. The unprecedented large-scale attack killed approximately 1,200 people and led to more than 250 others being taken hostage.

Since then, the Israeli military has launched a series of strikes on the Gaza Strip in retaliation against Hamas. According to Gaza’s health authorities, over 47,000 people have reportedly been killed so far. Tel Aviv’s assaults have also caused widespread destruction and famine in Gaza.

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