The head of Israeli military intelligence, Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva, resigned on Monday over the failures surrounding Hamas’ unprecedented attack on Oct. 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the taking of roughly 250 hostages into Gaza. Haliva’s decision could lead to more resignations among Israel’s top security officials over their roles in the deadliest assault in Israel’s history. The timing of the resignations amidst ongoing conflicts with Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and tensions with Iran has been questioned by some military experts, who see it as potentially irresponsible and a sign of weakness.
Haliva expressed regret over the failure of the intelligence directorate in preventing the attack, acknowledging that they did not live up to the task they were entrusted with. While Haliva and others have taken responsibility for the failures, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not acknowledged direct responsibility for allowing the attack to occur. A growing protest movement in Israel is demanding that elections be held soon, suggesting a deep dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the crisis. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid welcomed Haliva’s resignation and suggested that Netanyahu should follow suit.
The Hamas attack on Oct. 7, which caught Israel by surprise, shattered the faith that many Israelis had in their military as a trustworthy institution. With many Israelis still being held hostage in Gaza as Jews around the world prepared to celebrate Passover, a holiday that marks the biblical exodus of Jews from Egypt, the resignation of Haliva could help in restoring some trust in the Israeli military. The devastating war that followed the attack has claimed the lives of over 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza, with a significant number of casualties being children and women.
The fighting in Gaza has caused significant destruction in the territory’s largest cities and has driven 80% of the population to flee to other parts of the enclave, resulting in a humanitarian crisis with warnings of imminent famine. The attack by Hamas has also led to tensions in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and within Israeli cities and towns. In a separate incident in Jerusalem, a car rammed into pedestrians, injuring three lightly, and security camera footage showed two men exiting the car with a rifle before fleeing the scene, leading to their arrest by the police.
The resignation of Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva amidst ongoing conflicts and tensions in the region highlights the challenges faced by Israel’s security establishment in the aftermath of Hamas’ attack. The failures that led to the deadly assault have raised questions about accountability and leadership within the Israeli government and military. As the country grapples with the aftermath of the attack and the ongoing conflicts, the resignation of Haliva may be seen as a step towards acknowledging the mistakes made and working towards rebuilding trust and confidence in the Israeli security apparatus.
