Israel’s high basic has resigned, citing “horrible” safety and intelligence “failures” associated to the lethal October 7, 2023 Hamas-led assault on southern Israel.
Lieutenant Common Herzi Halevi is essentially the most senior Israeli official to resign over the safety breakdown, when hundreds of Hamas-led fighters stormed from Gaza and attacked army bases, kibbutzim and a music competition southern Israel.
The assault killed no less than 1,139 individuals, largely civilians, based on an Al Jazeera tally based mostly on Israeli statistics, and one other 250 individuals had been seized as captives. Greater than 90 hostages are nonetheless being held by Palestinian teams in Gaza, round a 3rd of whom Israel believes to be lifeless.
Halevi oversaw Israel’s response to the assault, a devastating assault on the besieged Palestinian territory that has killed greater than 47,000 individuals, based on Palestinian well being authorities.
The ferocious army marketing campaign has destroyed a lot of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure, whereas Israel’s extreme restrictions on humanitarian provides to the territory have led to warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe.
In his letter of resignation, Halevi mentioned that the army had, below his command “failed in its mission to defend the State of Israel” when Hamas attacked, however had made “vital achievements” within the ensuing conflict.
“My duty for the horrible failure accompanies me day by day, hour by hour, and can accomplish that for the remainder of my life,” Halevi wrote in his resignation letter to Defence Minister Israel Katz.
He mentioned he was leaving at a time of “vital successes” for the army, although he additionally mentioned that “not all” of Israel’s conflict targets had been met.
“The targets of the conflict haven’t all been achieved. The military will proceed to battle to additional dismantle Hamas and its governing capabilities, make sure the return of the hostages”, and allow Israelis displaced by militant assaults to return residence, he mentioned.
Israeli opposition chief Yair Lapid praised Halevi for stepping down and referred to as on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to comply with swimsuit.
“Now, it’s time for them to take duty and resign – the prime minister and his whole catastrophic authorities,” Lapid mentioned.
Shortly after Halevi introduced his resignation, Main Common Yaron Finkelman – head of Israel’s Southern Command, which oversees operations in Gaza – additionally tendered his resignation.
The generals’ resignations might add to requires a public inquiry into the October 7 failures, one thing Netanyahu – whose management might be implicated – has mentioned will wait till the conflict is over.
Far-right criticism
Katz thanked Halevi for his contributions to the army and expressed gratitude that he would proceed to fulfil his duties till a successor is called, whereas there could be an orderly seek for his substitute. Netanyahu additionally accepted Halevi’s resignation.
Halevi was typically criticised by far-right figures in Netanyahu’s authorities together with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Halevi’s resignation comes three days after a long-awaited ceasefire settlement took impact, resulting in a pause within the 15-month conflict in Gaza and the trade of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
The primary part of the multi-stage settlement is predicted to final for six weeks and can see 33 hostages launched in return for tons of of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Three hostages and 90 prisoners had been launched on Sunday.
Smotrich on Tuesday praised Halevi for the army’s success in shattering Hamas’s army capabilities throughout the conflict, but in addition put blame on his shoulders for the October 7 assault.
“My criticism of his failure within the marketing campaign to eradicate Hamas’s civilian and governmental capabilities, in addition to his duty for the October seventh failure, doesn’t diminish the nice gratitude we owe him for all his work and contributions over time and his achievements,” mentioned Smotrich, who opposed the ceasefire and hostage launch deal.
“The approaching interval will probably be marked by the substitute of the senior army command as a part of preparations for the renewal of the conflict, this time within the West Financial institution till full victory.”