Peter Beaumont
The Guardian / January 21, 2025
Lt Gen Herzi Halevi becomes most senior Israeli figure to resign over security breakdown during 2023 Hamas attack.
Israel’s top general has resigned, citing the “terrible failure” of security and intelligence related to Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 that triggered the war in Gaza.
Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, the chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), 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.
The Israeli opposition leader, Yair Lapid, said he saluted Halevi’s decision and also called on the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his government to resign.
“Now, it is time for them to take responsibility and resign – the prime minister and his entire catastrophic government,” he said.
Halevi, who has been targeted for criticism by far-right members of Netanyahu’s governing coalition, will formally step down in March as the first stage of Israel’s ceasefire deal with Hamas in Gaza comes to an end.
He had been widely expected to resign and said he would complete the IDF’s own inquiries into the events of 7 October 2023. It was not immediately clear who would replace him.
Senior Israeli political figures, including Netanyahu, have resisted the establishment of a state commission of inquiry despite polling that suggests an overwhelming majority of Israelis back such a move.
Maj Gen Yaron Finkelman, the head of Israel’s Southern Command, which oversees operations in Gaza, also tendered his resignation on Tuesday.
Israeli political analysts have long suggested that Netanyahu planned to blame Halevi for the failures of 7 October. It is unclear whether Halevi will now back calls for a state inquiry.
In a statement shared with media, Halevi said the failures of 7 October would stay with him for the rest of his life. “On the morning of October 7, under my command, the IDF failed in its mission to protect Israel’s citizens,” he said.
“The state of Israel paid a heavy and painful price – in lives lost, in hostages taken, and in those wounded both physically and emotionally. The courageous acts of many – security forces personnel, IDF soldiers and commanders, and brave civilians – were not enough to prevent this great disaster.
“My responsibility for this terrible failure accompanies me every day, every hour and will remain with me for the rest of my life.”
Underlining Halevi’s unpopularity with the far right, Itamar Ben-Gvir, the leader of Jewish Power, who quit as national security minister over the ceasefire deal, welcomed Halevi’s resignation, insisting the next IDF chief must “defeat Hamas”.
About 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the attack and 250 were 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”. He said his resignation would take effect on 6 March, having begun what was meant to be a three-year term in January 2023.
Netanyahu said in a statement issued by his office that he had spoken to Halevi to thank him for his service, which had “led to great achievements” for Israel. The pair are expected to meet in the coming days.
Halevi was seen as being in broad agreement with the former defence minister Yoav Gallant, whom Netanyahu fired in November, but he appeared to be at odds with Gallant’s replacement, Israel Katz, over the direction of the war.
Halevi has indicated he believes Israel has accomplished most of its goals, while Katz has echoed Netanyahu’s vow to keep fighting until “total victory” over Hamas.
The far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, who has threatened to bring down Netanyahu’s government over the ceasefire deal, suggested on Monday that the IDF needed a new chief of staff. He told Army Radio that Israel would not be able to win in Gaza with Halevi at the helm.
“We need to occupy the strip and establish a military government there. I want a chief of staff who understands that this is his goal, stands behind it and is going to realise it,” he said.
Peter Beaumont is a senior international reporter
