Israeli Military Intelligence Chief Resigns Over Hamas Attack

Following the October attack by Hamas, the Israeli military said on Monday that the chief of its intelligence directorate, Major General Aharon Haliva, has resigned after taking responsibility for failures leading to the attacks.

The military disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

According to the statement, “Major General Aharon Haliva, in coordination with the chief of the general staff, has requested to end his position, following his leadership responsibility as the head of the intelligence directorate for the events of October 7.

“It was decided that MG Aharon Haliva will end his position and retire from the IDF (army), once his successor is appointed in an orderly and professional process.”

In his resignation letter, Haliva took responsibility for failing to prevent the attack.

“On Saturday, October 7th 2023, Hamas committed a deadly surprise attack against the state of Israel,” he wrote in the letter, a copy of which was given to journalists by the military.

“The intelligence division under my command did not live up to the task we were entrusted with. I carry that black day with me ever since. Day after day, night after night. I will forever carry with me the terrible pain of the war,” he was quaoted as saying.

The Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
Since then, Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas and is engaged in a blistering assault against the militant group which rules the Gaza Strip.

AFP