Israel’s top general resigns over October 7 Hamas attack failures
Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi acknowledges military’s failures, own command responsibility for cross-border assault from Gaza
Israel’s top general resigned Tuesday, taking responsibility for security failures tied to Hamas’ surprise attack that triggered the war in Gaza and adding to pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has delayed any public inquiry that could potentially implicate his leadership.
Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi is the most senior Israeli figure to resign over the security and intelligence breakdown on October 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led militants carried out a land, sea and air assault into southern Israel, rampaging through army bases and nearby communities.
The attack – the single deadliest on Israel in its history – killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the militants abducted another 250. More than 90 captives are still in Gaza, around a third believed to be dead.
Halevi’s resignation, effective March 6, came days into the ceasefire with Hamas that could lead to an end to the 15-month war and the return of remaining captives. Major General Yaron Finkelman, head of Israel’s Southern Command, which oversees operations in Gaza, also resigned.
