TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The head of Israeli military intelligence resigned on Monday because of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, becoming the first senior figure to step down over his role in the stunning failure to anticipate or quickly respond to the deadliest assault in Israel’s history.
Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva’s decision could set the stage for more resignations among top Israeli security officials. Hamas militants blasted through Israel’s border defenses on Oct. 7, rampaging through communities unchallenged for hours and killing 1,200 people, most of them civilians, while taking roughly 250 hostages into Gaza.
The attack set off the war against Hamas in Gaza, now in its seventh month.
“The intelligence directorate under my command did not live up to the task we were entrusted with. I carry that black day with me ever since, day after day, night after night. I will carry the horrible pain of the war with me forever,” Haliva wrote in his resignation letter, which was provided by the military.
Adams, Reyna, Turner, Ream are US concerns ahead of Copa America
GRAND NATIONAL COUNTDOWN: Willie Mullins bullish over eight
'The wheels have come off!': Steve McManaman delivers scathing assessment of Liverpool's dismal 3
Travis Kelce downs whiskey shot on slice of bread at Kelce Jam without Taylor Swift
Travis Kelce hilariously ripped for his old tweets at New Heights live
GRAND NATIONAL COUNTDOWN: Willie Mullins bullish over eight
Cristiano Ronaldo swaps red card rage for beach tranquility as Al
Jessica Biel CHOPS her long locks into a bob after book signing in Studio City
Justin Timberlake set to bring his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour to Australia in 2025
BBC announce Tom Hiddleston is set to return to The Night Manager for two more series