Major-General Aharon Haliva, head of Israel’s military intelligence, resigns citing the failure to stop Hamas’s deadly surprise attack, becoming the first senior official to take the blame and step down.
Haliva had already publicly taken responsibility for intelligence failures that led to the attack in which Israel says Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took about 250 people hostage.
The military released a resignation letter Monday from Haliva and said he would step down and retire as soon as a replacement is appointed.
“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 pain with me forever,” Haliva said in the letter.
Haliva is the first high-ranking official to resign in connection with the attack.
Israel responded with a campaign in the Gaza Strip that it says is aimed at eliminating Hamas and ensuring the militants cannot carry out another attack on Israel.
