Israel’s top military intelligence chief announced his resignation on Monday for his role in failing to predict and protect Israel from Hamas’ massacre on October 7.
In his resignation letter shared on X, IDF Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva, chief of the Military Intelligence Directorate wrote, “The intelligence directorate under my command did not live up to the task we were entrusted with. I have carried that black day with me ever since, day after day, night after night. I will carry the horrible pain of the war with me for ever.”
According to the Washington Post, Haliva had been given a detailed briefing in May 2022 on findings that pointed to a large-scale attack by Hamas. However, Israeli intelligence failed to act on these preparations, nor did they heed warning signs that emerged in the hours before the attack.
On the morning of Oct. 7, IDF intelligence monitors detected Israeli SIM cards activated by Hamas, leading to a situation assessment call with the military chief of staff. Haliva did not participate in this call as he was still on vacation in Eilat at the time, according to the report.
Haliva’s resignation is expected to heighten pressure on other senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose support has plummeted amid anger that he failed to prevent the massacre. Analysts expect there eventually to be a formal, independent investigation similar to the 9/11 Commission in the United States after the Sept. 11 attacks.
