The Israeli army says its head of military intelligence is resigning

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JERUSALEM – The Israeli military said Monday that the head of its intelligence directorate has resigned after taking responsibility for the failures that led to Hamas’ unprecedented attack on October 7.

Major General Aharon Haliva is the first senior official to resign over his failure to prevent the attack that shocked Israel and the international community.

“Major General Aharon Haliva, in coordination with the Chief of the General Staff, has requested to terminate his position following his leadership responsibility as head of the Intelligence Directorate for the events of October 7,” the military said in a statement.

“It was decided that MG Aharon Haliva will terminate his position and withdraw from the IDF (army) once his successor has been appointed in an orderly and professional process.”

In his resignation letter, Haliva took responsibility for failing to prevent the attack.

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“On Saturday, October 7, 2023, Hamas carried out a deadly surprise attack on the State of Israel,” he wrote in the letter, a copy of which the military gave to journalists.

“The intelligence department under my command failed to fulfill the task entrusted to us.

“I have carried that black day with me ever since. Day after day, night after night. I will carry the terrible pain of the war with me forever.”

The Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP count based on official Israeli figures.

Since then, Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas and has launched a blistering assault on the militant group that rules the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian territory’s Ministry of Health said 34,097 people were killed during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, most of them women and children.

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