IDF intelligence head resigns over Oct. 7 invasion

Military Intelligence Directorate head Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva plans to resign in connection to the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas terrorists, the Israel Defense Forces announced Monday. The IDF released Haliva’s resignation letter to IDF General Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi. The resigning general wrote it would pain him forever that his intelligence directorate did not fulfill its task of protecting Israel on Oct. 7. About 1,200 people died during the terror group’s invasion, and 253 more people were kidnapped. According to Haliva’s letter, a commission should thoroughly investigate the factors and circumstances that led to the grave events of Oct. 7.

How was the resignation received? Halevi and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant approved Haliva’s retirement, which will begin when Haliva’s successor is appointed, the IDF shared on social media. The IDF added that Halevi thanked Haliva for his nearly 40 years of military service. Haliva alluded to his resignation since last November, making the move less shocking. Haliva was right to resign, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should join him, Yesh Atid Party politician Vladimir Beliak wrote on social media. Opposition leader Yair Lapid shared similar sentiments, calling Haliva’s resignation honorable and saying that Netanyahu should do the same.

Dig deeper: Read Josh Schumacher’s report in The Sift on Iran’s unprecedented aerial attack on Israel less than two weeks ago.