Israel’s military commander resigned in the fall of October 7, 2023

On October 7, 2023, Israel’s military chief resigned, claiming responsibility for the failure of the Palestinian armed group Hamas to launch a major offensive against the country that sparked the Gaza war.

In a letter to the defense minister, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said the IDF had “failed in its mission to protect Israeli citizens.”

He added: “My responsibility for this terrible failure is with me every day, every hour, and will be for the rest of my life.”

The general said he would step down on March 6 amid “significant achievements” for the IDF, although he acknowledged that Israel’s war goals were “not all”.

“The military will continue to fight to further destroy Hamas and its governance, to return the hostages, and to allow the return of Israelis displaced by the attacks of armed groups,” he said.

Soon after, Major General Yaron Finkelman, commander of the IDF’s Southern Command, announced his resignation, saying he had “failed in his duty to protect the Western Negev and its beloved brave residents.”

His resignation came three days after a Gaza ceasefire and a hostage release deal were agreed with Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organization by Israel, the US and others.

Israel’s military and intelligence officials missed or ignored multiple warnings before hundreds of Hamas militants breached Israel’s Gaza perimeter fence and attacked nearby Israeli communities 15 months ago. About 1,200 people were killed and 251 people were taken hostage.

The IDF responded by launching an air and ground campaign in Gaza, during which more than 47,100 Palestinians were killed, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in the region.

In a televised address on Tuesday, General Halevi said Hamas’ military wing had been “severely damaged”, with most of the group’s leaders and military commanders killed, along with around 20,000 “operators”.

He promised that the IDF inquiry, which he plans to complete before leaving office on October 7, will be “high quality, thorough and completely transparent.”

However, he cautioned that the military’s inquiry “is only focused on the IDF and does not include the broader situation that could prevent similar incidents in the future.”

“An inquiry commission or any other external body will investigate and get full transparency from the defense army,” he said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked General Halevi for his service during the war and for commanding the IDF, saying he “brought great success to Israel.”

So far, Netanyahu has said only that he is deeply saddened by what happened on October 7 and that he must answer “some serious questions” about his role without accepting any responsibility. He also stated that an independent commission of inquiry should wait until the end of the war in Gaza.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid praised Halevi’s decision and called on Netanyahu to follow suit.

“Now is the time for them to take responsibility and step down – the prime minister and his entire government.”

General Halevi is currently overseeing the IDF’s compliance with a three-round Gaza cease-fire deal with Hamas, and the release of remaining Israeli hostages for the hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

A total of 33 hostages were initially said to be released for six weeks. Hamas handed over three women on Sunday, when the cease-fire agreement took effect, and said it would free another four on Saturday.

Israeli forces must also withdraw from heavily populated areas of Gaza, allow displaced Palestinians to begin returning to their homes, and allow hundreds of aid trucks to enter the territory.

The second round of negotiations – for the release of the remaining hostages, the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army and the “return of lasting stability” – is due to begin in just over two weeks.

The third and final phase is rebuilding Gaza, which could take years, and includes the return of the remaining hostages.

However, there is great concern among Palestinians in Gaza and the families of the hostages about whether the deal will hold.

New US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had triumphantly taken over the ceasefire agreement. He did not believe that all three steps would be implemented..

Netanyahu said that Israel “has the support of the US to return to the war if they conclude that the negotiations for the second phase are fruitless.”