Israeli Army Chief, Major-General Herzi Halevi has resigned.
The resignation will take effect on March 6, 2025.
In his resignation letter, released by the army, the military chief said that he was leaving “due to my acknowledgement of responsibility for the failure on October 7.”
Halevi said that his departure comes at a time of “significant successes” for the military. More than 15 months of Israeli army attacks on Gaza have killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, with the UN calling the besieged and bombarded territory “a graveyard” for thousands of children.
In his resignation letter, Halevi indicated that he would assume the responsibility for the failure on October 7, 2023, affirming that the Army failed to defend ‘Israel’.
He acknowledged his failure to protect Israel’s security on October 7, which led to great human and material losses. He stressed that he bears full responsibility for this failure, which will haunt him throughout his life.
We suffered heavy casualties and the war left many of our soldiers and their families with wounds and scars, Halevi said.
Halevi explained that the goals of the war have not yet been fully achieved, stressing the continuation of efforts to dismantle Hamas’ capabilities and return all the kidnapped. He pointed out that he has begun extensive investigations to learn lessons and strengthen the army’s capabilities, stressing that these investigations are proceeding accurately and comprehensively.
Many Israelis have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to take personal responsibility for political and military failure on October 7.
In his statement, reported by Israeli media, Halevi stated he would “transfer command of the IDF in a high-quality and thorough manner to my replacement.” Until then, he plans to oversee investigations into the Hamas attack.
With his resignation, Halevi will become the third-shortest-serving permanent IDF chief of staff after Dan Halutz, who stepped down from the role after some 20 months following the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.
In another blow to the Zionist Army, Chief of Southern Military Command, Lieutenant General Yaron Finkelman, submitted resignation, saying failure will remain engraved in his memory for the rest of his life.
Israel Opposition Leader Calls On Government To Quit After Resignation Of Army Chief
Meanwhile, Israeli Opposition Leader, Yair Lapid said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government should resign after the country’s military chief stepped down, citing failures to prevent the October 7 attack.
The opposition leader said he saluted military Chief Herzi Halevi for quitting, stating, “Now, it is time for them to take responsibility and resign – the Prime Minister and his entire catastrophic government.”
Following the resignation of the Chief of Staff, Yisrael Beiteinu Party Chairman, Avigdor Lieberman also called on the Prime Minister and the rest of the members of the Security Cabinet to resign. He stated, “I call on the Prime Minister and the rest of the members of the Security Cabinet to take responsibility and leave their positions.”
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