The head of Israeli military intelligence, Maj.-Gen. Aharon Haliva, has resigned following his acceptance of responsibility for the failures that allowed the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7. In a statement released by the military, Haliva expressed regret over the attack, stating, "I have carried that black day with me ever since." Haliva, a 38-year veteran of the Israeli military, will remain in his post until a successor is named.
During the Oct. 7 attack, thousands of fighters from Hamas and other groups broke through security barriers around Gaza, surprising Israeli forces and causing devastation in surrounding communities. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and foreigners, including several Canadian citizens, with around 133 individuals remaining as hostages in Gaza.
The attack tarnished the reputation of the Israeli military and intelligence services, previously regarded as virtually unbeatable. While the head of the armed forces and the head of the domestic intelligence agency accepted responsibility for the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not taken responsibility, despite public backlash.
Thousands of Israeli demonstrators have taken to the streets to call for new elections and demand government action to bring the hostages home. Netanyahu has pledged to continue the Israeli campaign in Gaza, with U.S. President Joe Biden urging Israel to avoid launching a large-scale offensive in Rafah to prevent further civilian casualties.