Major General Herzi Halevi, Head of Israel’s military, stepped down on Monday, citing his responsibility for the army’s shortcomings during the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, according to Israeli media.
The attack, carried out by the Palestinian militant group, led to significant criticism of the Israeli military’s preparedness and response.
Halevi’s resignation letter, released by the Israeli Defense Forces, acknowledged the failures under his command during the attack. “I am resigning due to my acknowledgment of responsibility for the military’s failure on October 7,” Halevi wrote.
“I will request to end my duties on March 6th, 2025,” Halevi said in a statement, according to converging media reports.
Hamas’ attack on Israel resulted in 1,195 deaths. In the months following the assault, Israel launched its largest war yet on Palestinian territories, killing over 47,000 people, with most casualties reported among civilians.