Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi declared on Tuesday his intention to resign on 6 March, holding himself accountable for the severe security failure that occurred on 7 October 2023.
The day witnessed an unprecedented attack by Palestinian Hamas gunmen from Gaza, resulting in extensive casualties and abductions.
Halevi, a veteran of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) with over four decades of service, conveyed his decision in a letter addressed to Defence Minister Israel Katz.
He pledged to finalise the military's investigations into the incident and bolster the IDF's preparedness for future challenges. While his successor remains unnamed, Halevi assured a smooth transition of command.
“The IDF failed in its mission to protect the citizens of Israel on the morning of October 7,” wrote Halevi, emphasising the high toll in lives lost, injuries sustained, and individuals taken hostage. He remarked that the responsibility for the debacle would remain with him for the rest of his life.
Despite widespread outrage over the October 7 breach, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration has refrained from initiating a state-level inquiry into its role in the incident, which claimed 1,200 Israeli lives and left approximately 250 individuals as hostages.
Halevi’s decision to resign follows a series of departures among high-ranking military officials. The head of the IDF’s Southern Command, Major-General Yaron Finkelman, also announced his resignation, citing the same failures.
Former defence minister Yoav Gallant, who was dismissed by Netanyahu in November, had shared Halevi’s views on military reforms. However, tensions persisted between Halevi and other ministers over exemptions granted to ultra-Orthodox seminary students from military service.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a prominent hardliner in Netanyahu’s government, both lauded and criticised Halevi. “His failure in preventing the October 7 catastrophe does not diminish the great gratitude we owe him for his long-standing contributions and achievements,” Smotrich stated.
However, he condemned Halevi’s approach to eliminating Hamas’ non-military capabilities.
Katz expressed appreciation for Halevi’s service, saying that his role would be fulfilled diligently until a new chief was appointed.
Netanyahu also acknowledged Halevi’s resignation, marking the beginning of an exhaustive search for his successor.
The IDF recently engaged in a ceasefire agreement with Hamas after 15 months of conflict, during which more than 46,000 Palestinians lost their lives, and large portions of Gaza were devastated.
The first phase of the deal facilitated the release of three hostages, with more expected in the coming weeks.
Halevi asserted that, despite the failings of October 7, Israel’s military had achieved significant milestones. He cited the degradation of Hamas' operational capabilities, severe blows to Iranian-backed Hezbollah forces, and the weakening of adversarial entities in Lebanon, Syria, and Iran.
“Since October 7, the IDF has restored its standing as the most formidable military in the region,” said Halevi, attributing recent successes to public support and strategic resilience.
