Israeli military intelligence chief resigns over failure to prevent October 7 attack

The Israeli military said Monday the head of its intelligence corps has resigned over the failures surrounding Hamas’ unprecedented October 7 attack, which broke through Israel’s vaunted defences.

Aharon Haliva, the head of Israel’s military intelligence, has become the first senior Israeli figure to step down Hamas’ attack, which killed 1,200 people and took roughly 250 more taken captive.

In his resignation letter provided by the military Haliva said, “The intelligence directorate 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 carry the horrible pain of the war with me forever.”

Haliva said shortly after the attack in October that he shouldered the blame for not preventing the assault.

The Israeli military said in a statement that the military chief of staff accepted Haliva’s request to resign and thanked him for his service.

His resignation could set the stage for more of Israel’s top security brass to accept blame for not preventing the attack and step down.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not acknowledged direct responsibility for allowing the the attack on October 7 to unfold.

Despite growing protests in Tel Aviv demanding more elections, he has also indicated he will not step down.