Jerusalem, Israel
The Israeli military said on Monday the chief of its intelligence directorate has resigned after taking responsibility for failures leading to the unprecedented October 7 attack by Hamas.
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.
"It was decided that MG Aharon Haliva
will end his position and retire from the IDF (army), once his successor is
appointed in an orderly and professional process."
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 which 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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