Israel's Army Chief Resigns After Deadly Attack, Taking Responsibility for Security Lapse

Israel's Army Chief Resigns Following Deadly Attack

On January 21st, Israel's army chief, Herzi Halevi, announced his resignation, taking responsibility for the devastating security lapse that occurred on October 7th, 2023. During this incident, Palestinian Hamas gunmen from Gaza infiltrated Israel, resulting in the deadliest single day in the country's history.

Halevi, who had been widely expected to step down following the attack, stated that he would complete the Israel Defence Forces' inquiries into the incident and work to strengthen the IDF's preparedness for future security challenges. He will transfer command to a yet-to-be-named successor on March 6th.

Despite public outrage over the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has resisted calls for a state inquiry into its own role in the security breach, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of approximately 250 hostages.

In his resignation letter to Defence Minister Israel Katz, Halevi acknowledged the IDF's failure to protect Israeli citizens on October 7th. He expressed deep remorse for the heavy price paid in human lives and the suffering endured by those kidnapped and wounded. Halevi, a veteran of four decades of military service, stated that the responsibility for this "terrible failure" would accompany him for the rest of his life.