Israeli military intelligence head to resign over Oct. 7 Hamas attacks

Israel’s military intelligence chief tendered his resignation on Monday, although he is expected to eventually formally resign for his leadership role in the October 7 Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 people. , which has been criticized as a major failure by Israeli intelligence.

The head of Israel’s Directorate of Military Intelligence, Major General Aharon Hariba, joined with Israel’s Chief of Staff Helzi Halevi in ​​calling for his resignation. The decision was also approved by Israeli Defense Minister Job Gallant, according to a cable post from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The IDF said Hariba will formally step down once a replacement has been appointed.

October 7th was the worst event for the Jewish people since the Holocaust, and the worst intelligence service in the history of Israel, which had never been surprised by a surprise invasion or major attack since the 1973 Yom Kippur War. It was considered a failure.

Hamas fighters breached several checkpoints and border areas separating the Gaza Strip and Israel and invaded southern Gaza, seizing military bases and rampaging through communities for hours.

Since the attack, Israel has largely focused on its war with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has killed more than 34,000 people in Gaza, but once the dust settles, it will look more closely at what happened that day. promised to investigate.

Hariba is the most senior Israeli official to resign over the October 7 attack, in which Hamas fighters kidnapped about 250 people and left about 130 hostages remaining in Gaza.

In his letter, Hariba said he had a “heavy responsibility” as head of military intelligence, but on October 7 he admitted that the division under his command had “not fulfilled its mission.” .

“I’ve carried that dark day with me every day and night ever since. I will carry this pain with me forever,” he wrote.

Hariba’s announcement comes despite the ongoing war in Gaza, which has been going on for more than six months and could last until the end of the year or longer. This will put even more pressure on the government to launch an investigation.

Mr Hariba called on the official commission of inquiry to conduct a “comprehensive” review of what happened on October 7.

Mr Hariba said he would continue to serve his country until a successor is announced and “dedicate ourselves to the defeat of Hamas and those who seek to harm us and the return of all abducted, captured and missing persons to their homes and lands.” I will do my best.”