Israeli Chief of Staff expected to resign following Intelligence Head's departure

Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi is expected to step down soon, according to reports from local media outlets Saturday.

Following the resignation of Major General Aharon Haliva, the head of military intelligence, on Monday, it has been revealed that all officers held accountable for failing to anticipate the October 7, 2023, attack by the Palestinian group Hamas will be relieved of their duties, starting with the Chief of Staff, as per private broadcaster Channel 12.

Many officers have reportedly sought legal counsel in anticipation of potential investigations related to the failure.

Haliva is said to have submitted his resignation letter to the Chief of Staff after seeking legal advice, assuming that all of his statements would be disclosed to the investigation committee once it was established.

The report suggested that Haliva's resignation marks the beginning of a series of commander retirements, with the Head of the Shin Bet domestic security agency, Ronen Bar, among those listed.

The channel highlighted mounting concerns about the implications of Halevi's replacement for the security and political systems.

According to the report, Major General Yaron Finkelman and Major General Eliezer Toledano, once considered potential successors, are now perceived as part of the failure.

Major General Eyal Zamir, the next Chief of Staff 

Political circles are now eyeing Major General Eyal Zamir, the director general of the Defense Ministry, as Halevi's likely successor, according to the source.

Since the cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, Israel has been conducting a harsh offensive on the Gaza Strip, claiming less than 1,200 lives, according to Tel Aviv.

However, nearly 34,400 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have been killed, and over 77,400 have been injured amid widespread destruction and severe shortages of essential supplies.

Israel is facing accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling issued in January ordered Tel Aviv to cease genocidal acts and take measures to ensure the provision of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.

Source: Newsroom