IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said on Tuesday he is resigning from his post as the head of the military and will leave the position in March. He said the failings of the IDF in the Oct. 7 massacre would haunt him for life.
"I informed the defense Minister today that in recognition of my responsibility in the failures of the IDF on Oct. 7, and while the military has made significant achievements and is in the midst of carrying out the agreement to free hostages, I am asking to end my term on March 6, 2025," Halevi said in a statement.
"In the remaining time, I will complete the inquiries and bolster the IDF's preparedness to face the security challenges. I will transfer command of the IDF in an orderly and meticulous fashion to my replacement. I sent my letter to the prime minister and the defense minister.
Levi's resignation comes after a deal to free Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity was put into effect, which was an objective of the war, and after the Hamas military wing was defeated in Gaza and Hezbollah suffered considerable losses.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu and Defense Minister Israel Katz in Gaza visiting troops in Gaza last year
(Photo: GPO)
"The IDF was able to rise from its low point at the start of the war and fight forcefully for over a year and three months, on seven different fronts," Halevi said in his statement. "The military caused severe damage to the military capabilities of Hamas and created the conditions for the hostages to be returned, it dealt unprecedented plows on Hezbollah and significantly weakened Iran and its activities in the region. The IDF defends the communities on the Golan Height from inside the buffer zone in Syria and has destroyed most of the Syrian military capabilities. On the West Bank, the IDF operates effectively day and night to prevent terrorism."
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Halevi said these achievements were beyond anything discussed with the government on each of the fronts. "The achievements of the IDF commanders and troops under my command are first and foremost. Fighters in regular service and in the reserves from all sectors of the Israeli public, who showed up to fight a just war, fought valiantly and defeated the enemy. The achievements came at a cost of our best warriors, the circle of bereaved families grew and may remain wounded and scarred. The IDF will forever be in their debt."
Military convoy transports freed hostages back to Israel on Sunday
(Video: Tomer Shunem Halevi)
The IDF chief said that not all of the objectives of the war had been reached. "The IDF will continue to fight to eliminate Hamas' ability to govern, return all of the hostages and strengthen the security conditions needed to return residents of the north and south to their homes, safely."
Immediately after the chief of staff's announcement, the IDF Southern Command head Maj.-Gen. Yaron Finkelstein also announced his resignation from the military.
First published: 15:24, 01.21.25