IDF Chief of Staff Gen. Halevi Resigns Over October 7 Failures

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Citing failure to protect Israel from the October 7 Hamas attack, IDF Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi on Tuesday announced his resignation, Haaretz reports. Halevi will leave his post on March 6.

In his letter of resignation to Defense Minister Israel Katz, Halevi said he had long decided to leave but was waiting until the IDF had “the upper hand in all theaters of combat.” That time, Halevi said, had come. He also cited the recent ceasefire agreement including the phased return of the remaining 94 hostages held by Hamas as further evidence that the moment for his departure was “ripe.”

“The IDF under my command failed in its mission to protect the citizens of Israel,” Halevi wrote to Katz. “My responsibility for the terrible failure accompanies me every day, every hour, and will be so for the rest of my life.”

In a statement to the reporters hours later, Halevi said a full commission of inquiry should investigate what happened on October 7, 2023. “The military investigation pertains only to the IDF and does not cover all the reasons and areas that could prevent the recurrence of such events. A commission of inquiry or any other external body will be able to investigate and will receive full transparency from the IDF.”

“No one concealed information, and no one assisted the enemy in carrying out its brutality,” Halevi added. “Such statements harm loyal service members who are working for the security of the state.”

Responding to Halevi’s announcement, Defense Minister Katz said in a statement: “I would like to express my appreciation to the chief of staff and thank him for his contribution to the IDF throughout his years of service as a combat soldier and commander, and for his part in the IDF’s great achievements in the difficult war that was forced upon us.”

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