Israel’s Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi announced his resignation as military chief of staff, citing his responsibility for the IDF’s failure to prevent a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. In a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, Halevi stated that he would step down by March 6, 2025.
The resignation comes amid pressure from far-right nationalist ministers who felt Halevi was unable or unwilling to carry out their vision for war in Gaza and the West Bank. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had also faced criticism for opposing the Gaza ceasefire, but received assurances from Netanyahu to continue military operations.
Halevi’s departure marks a significant shake-up in Israel’s security establishment, with several high-profile officials resigning since the October 7 attack, including Commanding Officer of the Israel’s Southern Command, Major General Yaron Finkelman. The resignation is set to take place just days after a ceasefire with Hamas went into effect in Gaza, which was meant to mark the beginning of discussions for a permanent end to the war on February 4.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/21/middleeast/israeli-military-chief-of-staff-resigns-intl/index.html