The head of Israel’s military intelligence resigns as Gaza is in turmoil

Israel’s military intelligence chief has resigned after taking responsibility for the failures that led to the Hamas attack on October 7, the army said on Monday, as Israel increased shelling in war-torn Gaza.

Major General Aharon Haliva is the first top Israeli official to resign over his failure to prevent the Hamas attack, which sparked the Gaza war now in its seventh month and has placed intense scrutiny on the Israeli government and brought the army with him.

“The intelligence department under my command failed to fulfill the task entrusted to us,” Haliva said in his resignation letter. “I have carried that black day with me ever since.”

Netanyahu said late on Sunday that the Israeli army would increase military pressure to “deal additional and painful blows” to the Palestinian Hamas militants it is fighting in Gaza.

Israeli allies, including Washington, have warned against such an operation, fearing a worsening of the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. A majority of Palestinians in Gaza have sought refuge in Rafah from elsewhere in the area.

The announcement of further military pressure came amid growing global opposition to Israel’s offensive in Gaza, which has left vast areas in ruins and fueled fears of famine.

Gaza was hit by heavy shelling from Sunday into Monday, with attacks reported in several areas in the center and south of the territory, an AFP correspondent said on Monday.