The Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, informed Defense Minister Israel Katz today that he intends to resign.
Halevi said in a statement that he was leaving the army after "recognizing his responsibility for the failure of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) on October 7 (2023)" when the Palestinian Hamas attacked Israel.
He pointed out, however, that "the IDF has made significant achievements and is in the process of implementing the hostage release agreement."
By March 6, when he says he intends to leave, Halevi will complete investigations into attacks by the Palestinian Hamas and prepare the IDF for future challenges, Israeli media reported.
Halevi is the most high-profile Israeli official to resign over security lapses that allowed the Hamas attack. He announced the resignation two days after a tentative ceasefire in the war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip took effect.
In an attack by Palestinian extremists on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, about 1.200 people were killed and more than 250 hostages were kidnapped and taken to Gaza.
Israeli retaliatory air, land and sea attacks on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip have killed more than 46.000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.
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