Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Helj Halevi announced his resignation on Tuesday, taking responsibility for the military's failure in the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack.
His retirement, scheduled for March 2025, will bring an end to an illustrious 40-year military career and come amid political turmoil, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's opponents demanding the Israeli leader step down. is causing.
“On the morning of October 7, the Israel Defense Forces under my command failed in its mission to protect the people of Israel. This failure weighs on me every day and will weigh on me for the rest of my life,” Halevi said in his resignation letter. I mentioned it inside. The failure of the IDF in an unprecedented attack by Hamas that left more than 1,400 Israelis dead and dozens abducted.
Despite the October 7 tragedy, Halevi highlighted the IDF's achievements under his leadership, including operations to weaken the regional influence of Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. “The Israel Defense Forces managed to rise from a very difficult starting point and conduct intense combat in seven theaters of operations for more than one year and three months,” he said. “The Israel Defense Forces' military achievements have changed the Middle East.”
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Lieutenant General Helj Halevi is assessing the situation and consulting with reserve commanders on the Lebanese border. (IDF Spokesperson Unit)
Halevi said: “The objectives of the war have not yet been fully achieved. We will continue to fight to do so.” He stressed that his resignation followed a new agreement on a ceasefire and hostage return.
Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked Halevi for his service in a statement from his official residence, saying: “The Prime Minister would like to thank the Chief of Staff for his years of service and leadership across seven fronts during the War of Reconstruction, which brought significant results to the State of Israel. “I expressed that,” he said. . '' Defense Minister Israel Katz also praised Halevi's contributions, saying, “He will continue to serve until the end of his term and oversee an orderly transition process.''
Halevi's resignation marks the most significant departure from Israel's security establishment following the events of October 7. Prime Minister Netanyahu refuses to take responsibility for these failures, repeatedly stating: there will be liability Only after the war.
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A memorial at the site of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on the Supernova music festival near Kibbutz Rem, Israel, May 27, 2024. (Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Opposition leaders used Halevi's resignation to heighten their criticism of Netanyahu. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said: “I respect General Halevi's integrity. It's time for the prime minister and his pathetic government to take responsibility and resign.” Former Defense Minister Benny Gantz agreed, calling Halevi's decision ethical and commendable. “The government must follow his example and set up a state commission of inquiry to restore public confidence,” he added. Avigdor Liberman also urged Prime Minister Netanyahu and his cabinet to resign.
To date, the establishment of a national commission of inquiry into the events of October 7 has not been approved by the Israeli government. Parliament member Orit Farkash-Hacohen announced on Wednesday that he would introduce a bill to establish such a commission following the resignation of the Israeli Defense Forces chief of staff.
Families of the October 7 victims have called for accountability from both the military and the government, and called for a national investigation. “We will not rest until a committee is established to prevent future disasters,” they said in a statement.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with senior defense and security officials on Mount Hermon on Tuesday. (IDF)
Halevi's resignation has increased pressure on Netanyahu, whose government faces historically low public approval ratings, according to recent opinion polls.
Speculation about Halevi's successor has already begun, with leading candidates including Eyal Zamir, the current Defense Ministry director who served as deputy chief of staff under former chief of staff Aviv Kochavi. Other candidates for the post include Major General Uri Godin, commander of Northern Command, and current deputy chief of staff Amir Baram, who reportedly asked Halevi to resign several weeks ago.
