Israeli Military Intelligence Chief Resigns Over Failure To Prevent October 7 Hamas Attack

Israeli Major General Aharon Haliva resigned as head of military intelligence after the failures that enabled the 2008 Hamas-led attack on Israel. Haliva acknowledged responsibility for the lapses.

Israeli counter-protester at demonstration against the violence in Gaza on May 15, 2018 in London, England. Israeli soldiers killed over 50 Palestinians and wounded over a thousand as demonstrations on the Gaza-Israel border coincided with the controversial opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem yesterday.

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The head of Israeli military intelligence, Major General Aharon Haliva, has resigned from his position following the failures that allowed the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7 last year. In a statement on Monday, the military announced his resignation, citing his acknowledgment of responsibility for the lapses that led to the attack.

According to news agency Reuters, Haliva, who has served in the military for 38 years, expressed his remorse in a resignation letter released by the military, stating, "The intelligence division under my command did not live up to the task we were entrusted with. I have carried that black day with me ever since."

The October 7 attack saw thousands of fighters from Hamas and other groups breaching the high-tech security barriers around Gaza, catching Israeli forces off guard and causing devastation in the surrounding communities. The assault resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis and foreigners, predominantly civilians, with approximately 250 individuals taken hostage in Gaza, where 133 remain captive.

Haliva's Resignation First Such Move Since October 7 Hamas Attack

Haliva's resignation marks the first instance of a general leaving their position within the IDF staff due to the failures leading to the attack and subsequent conflict in Gaza. Despite other senior commanders, including Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet's head Ronen Bar, accepting responsibility, they have continued holding their positions.

"In all my visits to Military Intelligence Directorate units in the last 11 days, I sat down and stressed that the beginning of the war was an intelligence failure," Haliva had stated in October, shortly after the attack, as quoted by the Washington Post.

The admission of guilt came amidst ongoing criticism directed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has yet to accept responsibility for the intelligence failures. Netanyahu's reluctance to acknowledge his role in the security lapses has fueled public discontent, raising questions about his accountability in ensuring Israel's defense, as per a Washington Post article.