The Israeli military revealed on Monday that its intelligence directorate’s top official has stepped down, assuming responsibility for the lapses that paved the way for the unexpected October 7 offensive by Hamas.
As a result of the attack’s impact on Israel and the international community, Major General Aharon Haliva is the first senior official to resign from his position.
“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,” the military said in a statement.
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“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.”
Haliva acknowledged his responsibility for the failure to prevent the attack in his resignation letter.
“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.”
The Hamas attack, as determined by AFP’s examination of Israeli government figures, resulted in the deaths of 1,170 individuals, with the majority being civilians.
Israel has pledged to eradicate Hamas and is currently undertaking an intense campaign against the militant organization that governs the Gaza Strip.
As per the Palestinian territory’s health ministry, 34,097 casualties have been recorded in Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, with the majority being women and children.