IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi Resigns His Post

IDF Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi resigned his post on Tuesday, citing the failures of October 7, 2023, as the reason for a decision he said he made long ago.

In a lengthy statement to media, the military chief said the protection of the State of Israel has been his “life’s mission” but that the time was now “ripe” for him to step down.

It is interesting to note that Halevi made the announcement less than 24 hours after the conclusion of the term of US President Joe Biden and his cabinet, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, with whom Halevi had formed a strong bond.

US President Donald J. Trump re-entered the Oval Office on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.

The move also came after the start of a campaign by Finance Minister and Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich to fire the IDF chief of staff.

“I informed Defense Minister [Israel Katz] today that, by virtue of recognizing my responsibility for the failure on October 7, 2023, and at a time when the IDF has recorded great achievements and is in the process of implementing an agreement to release hostages, I request to conclude my service on March 6, 2025,” Halevi said in his statement announcing his resignation.

“During the remaining time, I will complete the investigations and maintain the IDF machinery for addressing security challenges,” he wrote.

“I will transfer command of the IDF in a qualitative and thorough manner to my successor. I have forwarded a letter on the matter to the Minister of Defense and the Prime Minister,” he said.

“Over the past four decades, the mission of protecting the security of the State of Israel has been my life’s mission.

“From a young soldier and commander to a staff officer, I found pride in my affiliation with the IDF, saw it as a model organization, and felt a heavy responsibility, as someone who is among the protectors of the State of Israel and its citizens.

“I knew very well that upon assuming command of the IDF, I was entrusted with the great responsibility of ensuring that the IDF would be prepared to stand the supreme test of war, would know how to deter its enemies, and where a threat was not thwarted in advance, would know how to intervene between enemy and civilian.

“On the morning of October 7, the IDF under my command failed in its mission to protect the citizens of Israel,” Halevi acknowledged.

“The State of Israel paid a heavy and painful price in human lives, in those kidnapped and those injured in body and mind. The bold acts of heroism on the part of many – members of the security forces, IDF soldiers and commanders, and brave citizens – were not able to prevent the grave disaster.

“My responsibility for the terrible failure accompanies me day by day, hour by hour, and will be so for the rest of my life,” Halevi said.

“The IDF was able to rise from a very difficult starting point to intense fighting, for over a year and three months, in seven different combat theaters. The IDF’s military achievements changed the Middle East.

The IDF inflicted very severe damage on the military wing of Hamas and created the conditions for the return of hostages, caused unprecedented damage to the terrorist organization Hezbollah, and significantly weakened Iran and its regional activities.

“The IDF protects the residents of the Golan Heights from within the Syrian buffer zone and has succeeded in destroying the main capabilities of the Syrian army.

“In the Judea and Samaria sector, the IDF operates every day and every night in counterterrorism missions with great effectiveness.

“These achievements far exceed any accomplishment discussed with the political echelon for the war in each of the arenas, and their significance is stronger given the connection of the arenas.

“These achievements belong first and foremost to the IDF commanders and soldiers, my subordinates. IDF fighters, both regular and reserve, from all parts of Israeli society, stood up for the just war, fought with courage and sacrifice, and won every encounter with the enemy.

“We accomplished these achievements at a heavy price. We knew the loss of the souls of our best fighters, the bereaved family expanded, and the war left wounds and scars among many. The IDF will forever be committed to the families and the memory of the fallen.

“The goals of the war have not yet been fully achieved,” Halevi noted.

“The IDF will continue to fight for the continued dismantling of Hamas and its ability to govern, the return of all the hostages, and will strengthen the security conditions that have been created to complete the safe return of residents in the south and north to their homes.

“The IDF initiated and implemented an extensive and unprecedented investigation process during wartime, for the purpose of learning and improvement, strengthening combat and defense capabilities, and as part of the commitment to the bereaved families, those who were kidnapped and their families, and the entire public. These are incisive, genuine, and thorough investigations that are in the final stages of completion and have already made it possible to derive and assimilate important lessons in the use of force and the building of the IDF’s force.

“In recognition of my responsibility for the IDF’s failure on October 7th and at a time when the IDF has recorded extraordinary achievements and restored the deterrence and strength of the State of Israel, I request to end my duties on March 6th, 2025.

I made this decision a long time ago. Now, when the IDF has the upper hand in all theaters of war, and another hostage return agreement is underway, the time is ripe.

“In the remaining time, I will complete the investigations and continue to strengthen the IDF’s readiness for the upcoming challenges. In doing so, I will transfer command of the IDF in a quality and orderly manner to my successor. I will always be a soldier of the State of Israel,” he concluded.

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israeli media that the prime minister had spoken with Halevi and “thanked him for his long service and command of the IDF during the war.”

The two have agreed to meet in the coming days, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

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