Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi announces resignation
Israeli army's Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi (C-R) during a situational assessment with Israeli army soldiers in Khan Yunis, with the Head of the Southern Command, Major General Yaron Finkelman (C-L), the CO of the 98th Brigade. (Handout/Israeli Army, AFP)
Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, announced on Tuesday that he will resign from his position on March 6, 2025.
Halevi, who has served as the Israeli Army’s top military leader since January 2023, is stepping down approximately 10 months before the end of his standard three-year term.
Resignation linked to Oct. 7 events
In a statement released on Tuesday, Halevi cited his responsibility for the Israeli Army’s failures during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel as the reason for his decision.
“I informed the Minister of Defense today (Tuesday) that, by my recognition of my responsibility for the Army’s failure on Oct. 7 and at a time when the Army has made significant achievements and is in the process of implementing an agreement to release hostages, I will request to end my duties on March 6th, 2025,” Halevi stated.
He added that until his resignation takes effect, he will focus on completing investigations into the Oct. 7 attack, maintaining the Army’s readiness for security challenges, and ensuring a smooth transfer of command to his successor.
Halevi’s resignation was officially conveyed in letters addressed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
2 resignations in less than half an hour in Israeli army
In less than half an hour, both the Chief of Staff and the Southern Command Major General announce the end of their duties.
The chief of the Israeli Army’s Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman has also notified Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi that he intends to resign from the military.
From the resignation letter of the commander of the Southern Command, Yaron Finkelman: “On Oct. 7, I failed in defending the Western Negev—this failure is burned into me for the rest of my life.”
Israeli far-right Itamar Ben Gvir, “The resignation of the Chief of Staff was expected regardless of the course of the war. The decision should be welcomed; I expect him to be appointed to the position of an offensive and strong chief of staff.”
Israeli Defense Minister Katz responds to Halevi’s resignation: “I would like to express my appreciation to the Chief of Staff and thank him for his contribution to the Israeli army throughout his years of service—he will continue to fulfill his duties and will conduct an orderly succession process until the end of his term.”
