Israeli military intelligence is about to resign over Hamas’ attacks on October 7

Israel’s military intelligence chief offered to resign on Monday and is expected to eventually formally step down from his leadership role over the October 7 Hamas attacks that killed some 1,200 people, criticized as a major failure of Israeli intelligence service.

Major Gen. Aharon Haliva, the head of Israel’s military intelligence, requested his resignation in consultation with Israeli Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi. The decision was also approved by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, according to a Telegram message from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Haliva will formally resign once a successor has been appointed, the IDF said.

October 7 was the deadliest event for the Jewish people since the Holocaust and is considered the worst intelligence failure in the history of Israel, a country that had until then not been surprised by a sudden invasion or major attack since the Yom Kippur War. 1973.

Hamas fighters broke through several checkpoints and border areas separating Gaza from Israel and invaded the southern part of the country, overwhelming military bases and dispersing communities for hours.

Since the attacks, Israel has largely focused on the war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has killed more than 34,000 people in Gaza, but has vowed to investigate more fully what happened that day once the dust settles.

Haliva would be the highest-ranking Israeli official to resign over the October 7 attacks, in which Hamas fighters also kidnapped some 250 people, leaving about 130 hostages in Gaza.

In his letter, Haliva said he bore a “heavy responsibility” as head of military intelligence, but acknowledged on October 7 that the division under his command was “not up to the task.”

“Since then I have carried that black day with me, day after day, night after night. I will carry the pain with me forever,” he wrote.

Haliva’s announcement puts more pressure on the Israeli government to launch a more formal investigation into the October 7 attacks, despite the ongoing war in Gaza, which has lasted for more than six months and will last until the end of the year last or could last longer.

Haliva called for an official commission of inquiry to investigate what happened on October 7 in a “comprehensive” manner.

Until his replacement is announced, Haliva said he would continue to serve his country and “do everything for the defeat of Hamas and those who wish to harm us, and for the return of all kidnapped, captured and missing people to their homes and countries . ”

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