Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, who led the Israeli military during the 15-month Gaza war, has announced his resignation due to the failure of his command to protect Israelis from Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. The heavy toll of the attacks, which included 1,200 killed in Israel and 250 hostages taken, had long been expected to result in resignations among top leaders.
Halevi cited the military’s inability to prevent the attacks as a major factor in his decision, stating that his responsibility for the failure “accompanies me every day.” The announcement comes just days after a truce was brokered between Israel and Hamas, with the release of three female hostages held in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced criticism for not fully taking responsibility for the disaster. However, General Halevi said he would resign as the timing is now “ripe” with hostages returning home. Despite this, many hard-line government figures have criticized the military’s response to Hamas attacks, calling for a more aggressive campaign.
The resignation of General Halevi has sparked concerns about the future direction of the Israeli military. Hard-line politicians like Bezalel Smotrich have expressed hopes that his departure will lead to a shift towards a more hawkish mindset among top brass. However, human rights groups have accused the Israeli military of war crimes during the conflict.
The Israeli military is currently conducting internal inquiries into its failure during the attack, with Defense Minister Israel Katz ordering an accelerated process. General Halevi stated that independent investigations are necessary but acknowledged that they may be limited in scope.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/21/world/middleeast/israel-military-chief-resignation.html