The intelligence chief resigns over the October 7 attack

The head of Israel’s military intelligence, Major General Aharon Haliva, resigned on Monday and said he would retire, citing his own role in contributing to the failure to stop Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 .

Haliva appears to be the first senior official of Israel’s military or political establishment to resign following Hamas’ surprise attack that killed an estimated 1,200 people. It was the greatest loss of life in a single day in Israel’s history. Militants also took 253 hostages to Gaza, where more than 130 remain.

Haliva made the announcement in a letter shared by the Israeli military. He previously accepted responsibility for the intelligence failure that led to the worst security failure in Israel’s 76-year history.

“The Directorate of Military Intelligence under my command failed to meet our mission,” Haliva wrote in the letter. “Since then, I have carried that black day with me day and night. I will live with the terrible pain every day.”

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Haliva said he would retire once a successor was found.

Israeli media have reported for months that the country’s military and intelligence officials have completely missed or ignored multiple warnings that Hamas is planning an operation on Israel’s border with Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not acknowledged direct responsibility for October 7. He has also indicated that he has no intention of resigning, despite growing protests over his handling of the war, especially over the issue of Israeli hostages. Negotiations with Hamas aimed at their return have stalled and Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, now in its seventh month, has also failed to free them.

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