Israeli army chief resigns over October 7 ‘failure’
Major-General Herzi Halevi has quit over what he described as his responsibility for the military “failure” during the Hamas-led attack in southern Israel last year.
The resignation will take effect on March 6.
In his resignation letter, released by the army, the military chief said he was leaving “due to my acknowledgement of responsibility for the failure on October 7”.
Halevi said his departure comes at a time of “significant successes” for the military. More than 15 months of Israeli army attacks on Gaza have killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, with the UN calling the besieged and bombarded territory “a graveyard” for thousands of children.
Many Israelis have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to take personal responsibility for political and military failure on October 7.
Israeli Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi
Israel opposition leader calls on government to quit after resignation of army chief
The opposition leader said he saluted military chief Herzi Halevi for quitting and added: “Now, it is time for them to take responsibility and resign – the prime minister and his entire catastrophic government.”
Yair Lapid has said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government should resign after the country’s military chief stepped down, citing failures to prevent the October 7 attack.
Jenin death toll rises
The number of Palestinians killed in the Israeli army’s raid on Jenin has now risen to eight, according to the latest update by the Palestinian Health Ministry.
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