Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talks to Israeli Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi at a ceremony for the 70th cohort of military combat officers. (File photo: Reuters)Reuters

Israeli army chief of staff takes responsibility for Oct 7 security lapse, resigns

Herzi Halevi said he would complete the Israel Defence Forces' inquiries into the October 7 attack by Hamas and strengthen the Israeli Defense Forces's readiness for security challenges.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Israel's army chief Herzi Halevi to resign on March 6
  • Promises to complete IDF inquiries and boost readiness
  • Vows smooth command transfer to successor

Israel's army chief Herzi Halevi said on Tuesday he would resign on March 6, taking responsibility for the massive security lapse on Oct. 7, 2023 when Palestinian Hamas gunmen from Gaza carried out a cross-border attack on Israel.

Halevi, in a letter to Israel's defence minister, had widely been expected to step down. He said he would complete the Israel Defence Forces' inquiries into Oct. 7 and strengthen the IDF's readiness for security challenges.

"I will transfer command of the IDF in a high-quality and thorough manner to my successor," wrote Halevi, Chief of the General Staff of Israel's armed forces.