Israel’s army chief, Herzi Halevi, announced on Tuesday that he will resign on March 6, taking full responsibility for the security failure on October 7, 2023, when Palestinian Hamas gunmen from Gaza carried out a devastating cross-border attack.
Halevi, whose resignation had been widely anticipated following the deadliest day in Israel’s history, stated that he would first conclude the Israel Defence Forces’ (IDF) inquiries into the attack and ensure the army’s preparedness for future security challenges. The name of his successor has not yet been announced.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has faced significant public backlash for the October 7 breach, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of around 250 hostages. However, the government has resisted calls for a state inquiry into its own role in the security lapse.
