ISRAELI MILITARY INTELLIGENCE CHIEF RESIGNS OVER OCTOBER 7 HAMAS ATTACK
The Israeli military announced on Monday that the head of its intelligence directorate has resigned, accepting responsibility for the errors that led to Hamas historic October 7 attack.
Major General Aharon Haliva is the first high-ranking official to step down for failing 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 end his position, following his leadership responsibility as the head of the intelligence directorate for the events of October 7,” the military said in a statement.
In his resignation letter, Haliva took responsibility for failing to prevent the attack.
“On Saturday, October 7th 2023, Hamas committed a deadly surprise attack against the state of Israel,” he wrote in the letter, a copy of which was given to journalists by the military.
“The intelligence division under my command did not live up to the task we were entrusted with.
“I carry that black day with me ever since. Day after day, night after night. I will forever carry with me the terrible pain of the war.”
The Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
Since then, Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas and is engaged in a blistering assault against the militant group that rules the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian territory’s health ministry said 34,097 people have been killed in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, most of them women and children.
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