Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva, the head of Israeli military intelligence, resigned on Monday, taking responsibility for the failures surrounding the unprecedented Hamas attack on Oct. 7. The military confirmed his resignation, marking him as the first senior figure to step down over his role in what is considered the deadliest assault in Israel’s history.
The attack by Hamas militants, which saw them breach Israel’s border defenses and rampage through Israeli communities unchallenged for hours, resulted in the death of 1,200 people, most of whom were civilians. The militants also took approximately 250 hostages into Gaza. This attack triggered the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza, which is now in its seventh month.
Haliva’s resignation could potentially lead to more resignations among Israel’s top security brass, who are under scrutiny for the failures of the attack.
In his resignation letter provided by the military, Haliva expressed deep remorse over the incident. “The intelligence directorate 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 carry the horrible pain of the war with me forever,” he wrote.
The aftermath of the attack and Haliva’s resignation highlight the significant challenges Israel faces in its ongoing conflict with Hamas.
