Israeli Chief of Staff announces resignation citing October 7 failures
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Halevi's admission that "not all" objectives of the Gaza war were achieved reflects the IOF's struggles and the demoralization within its ranks over unmet military and political goals.
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Israeli Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi attends a wreath-laying ceremony marking Holocaust Remembrance Day in the Hall of Remembrance at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre, in occupied al-Quds, Palestine, Monday, May 6, 2024 (Pool Photo via AP)
The Chief of Staff of the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), Herzi Halevi, announced on Tuesday that he will step down from his position on March 6, 2025, citing responsibility for the military's failures during the operation Al-Aqsa Flood.
"I informed the Minister of Defense today (Tuesday) that by virtue of my recognition of my responsibility for the [IOF's] failure on October 7th, and at a time when the [IOF] has significant achievements and is in the process of implementing the agreement to release our hostages, I have requested to leave my role on March 6th, 2025," Halevi said in a statement.
"In the remaining time, I will complete the investigations and maintain the [IOF] machinery for security challenges. I will transfer command of the [IOF] in a qualitative and thorough manner to my successor. I have forwarded a letter to the Minister of Defense and the Prime Minister on the matter."
Read more: 'Israel's' war goals in Gaza left unfulfilled: Israeli media
Halevi's resignation comes as the IOF faces growing criticism over its handling of the events on October 7, when the military was caught off guard by the large-scale assault. The incident exposed lapses in the IOF's intelligence and operational readiness, leading to significant casualties and hostage situations.
Shortly after Halevi's announcement, Major General Yaron Finkelman, head of the IOF's Southern Command, also tendered his resignation. Finkelman oversaw the command responsible for the area near Gaza, which bore the brunt of the Hamas attack.
Halevi's admission that "not all" objectives of the Gaza war were achieved reflects the IOF's struggles and the demoralization within its ranks over unmet military and political goals.
'Israel' failed to change the dynamics of the war
Zvi Yehezkeli, the Arab affairs commentator for Israeli channel i24News, expressed frustration at the celebrations in the Gaza Strip and the public appearance of Hamas fighters following the implementation of the ceasefire on Sunday morning.
In an interview with Israeli newspaper Maariv, Yehezkeli called these scenes “the most difficult thing to see,” stating they completely contradict the objectives of the war and "Israel's" goals in Gaza. He then questioned, "What have we achieved in a year and three months?"
The Israeli commentator continued, stating, "We destroyed many homes, sacrificed our best sons, and in the end, we reached the same outcome... Hamas is celebrating, aid is flowing in, and the elite forces are returning."
Read more: Hamas only authority capable of governing Gaza: Israeli media
Yehezkeli strongly criticized the outcome of the 15-month war in Gaza, asserting that the current reality "confirms one thing"—that "15 months of fighting failed to change the dynamics of the war in the Strip."
What Yehezkeli said added to the growing criticism following the ceasefire announcement in the Gaza Strip, with officials and analysts acknowledging the occupation's failure to achieve its objectives in the 470-day war of extermination.
The Resistance persisted until the final moments, and fighters from the al-Qassam Brigades were seen celebrating among their people as the agreement went into effect.
