Israeli Army Chief Resigns Over October 7 Failures, Military Launches West Bank Operation

Israeli Army Chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi announced his resignation, effective March 6, 2025, in response to the failures of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during the October 7 Hamas attack, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and 250 hostages taken. Halevi stated that the IDF failed in its primary mission to protect Israeli citizens and expressed deep personal accountability for the tragic outcome. His resignation follows a wave of military departures amid public outcry over the government's handling of security leading up to the attack. Despite the resignation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has resisted calls for an inquiry into its responsibilities. As the IDF prepares for challenges ahead, the ongoing ceasefire with Hamas is marked by the release of hostages and the continuation of violence in the West Bank, where Israeli operations have resulted in casualties. Halevi's departure underscores the significant turmoil within Israeli military leadership following the October incident.