Israeli army chief of staff resigns over “October 7 failure”
The chief of staff of the Israeli army, General Herzi Halevi, presented his resignation on Tuesday, explaining it by his ” responsibility “ In “the failure of October 7”in reference to the unprecedented attack by Hamas in Israel on this day in 2023, according to his letter, transmitted by the army to Agence-France-Presse (AFP).
“Recognizing my responsibility for the failure of the army on October 7, and at a time when the army is recording significant successes on all fronts and a new hostage release agreement is underway, I ask terminate my duties on March 6, 2025”declares Mr. Halevi, in this letter.
Mr. Halevi, 57, who has held this position since December 2022, clarified that “for forty years, [sa] mission of protecting the State of Israel was the mission of [sa] vie ». More “On the morning of October 7, the army under my leadership failed in its mission to protect Israeli citizens”he said. “My responsibility for this terrible failure accompanies me every day and will accompany me all my life”added General Halevi.
“Not all the objectives of the war were achieved”in the Gaza Strip, facing Hamas, writes General Halevi in his resignation letter. “The army will continue to fight to continue the dismantling of Hamas and its power capabilities” as well as “the return of the hostages”he added.
-The army also announced the resignation of the head of the military command of the Southern region, responsible, in particular, for the Gaza Strip, General Yaron Finkelman. In his letter addressed to his superior, Herzi Halevi, General Finkelman claims to have “failed on October 7 to protect the beloved and heroic inhabitants” areas close to the Gaza Strip.
The only resignation at this level within the Israeli army since October 7 was that of General Aharon Haliva, head of the intelligence service, who resigned in April 2024.
