IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi praises the bravery of troops fighting in Lebanon, October 3, 2024.(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)
JERUSALEM POST | Published January 21, 2025
Halevi’s resignation in keeping his promise to take responsibility for October 7 • OC Southern Command Yaron Finkleman follows suit
Halevi said he is resigning in keeping with his promise since October 2023 that he would take responsibility for the October 7, 2023 failure in which Hamas invaded southern Israel.
Despite that failure, Halevi noted his and the IDF’s recent successes, including against Hezbollah in Lebanon, against the Assad regime in Syria, against Iran, and in forcing Hamas into a hostage exchange deal that started this week.
In addition, Halevi said that the IDF, during his tenure, managed to hold down terror in the West Bank to low enough levels, which allowed the military to focus most of its efforts on the two major fronts with Hamas and Hezbollah.
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SOURCE: www.m.jpost
RELATED: IDF chief Halevi’s resignation letter: ‘Oct. 7 failure will remain with me for the rest of my life’
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi visits Israel’s border with Syria on December 7, 2024. (IDF)
THE TIMES OF ISRAEL | Published January 21, 2025
The full text of IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi’s letter to Defense Minister Israel Katz, announcing he intends to resign on March 6. (Translated from the Hebrew.)
Subject: Conclusion of My Tenure as the 23rd Chief of Staff of the IDF
For the past four decades, the mission of safeguarding the security of the State of Israel has been my life’s calling. From my early days as a soldier and young commander to my role as Chief of Staff, I have taken pride in being part of the IDF, regarded it as an exemplary organization, and felt the heavy responsibility of being among the defenders of Israel and its citizens.
I was fully aware that upon assuming command of the IDF, I was entrusted with the immense responsibility of ensuring that the military would be prepared to withstand the ultimate test of war, deter its enemies, and where threats were not preemptively neutralized, act as a shield between the enemy and Israeli civilians.
On the morning of October 7, under my command, the IDF failed in its mission to protect Israel’s citizens. The State of Israel paid a heavy and painful price — in lives lost, in hostages taken, and in those wounded both physically and emotionally. The courageous acts of many — security forces personnel, IDF soldiers and commanders, and brave civilians — were not enough to prevent this great disaster. My responsibility for this terrible failure accompanies me every day, every hour, and will remain with me for the rest of my life.
The IDF was able to rise from an extremely difficult starting point and wage an intense campaign for over a year and three months across seven different fronts. The military achievements of the IDF have altered the Middle East.
The IDF inflicted severe damage on Hamas’s military wing, created the conditions for the return of hostages, dealt an unprecedented blow to Hezbollah, and significantly weakened Iran and its regional activities.
The IDF continues to protect the residents of the Golan Heights from within the Syrian buffer zone and has successfully dismantled most of the Syrian army’s capabilities. In the West Bank, the IDF operates effectively every day and night in counterterrorism missions.
These achievements far exceed any goal discussed with the political leadership regarding warfare in each of these arenas, and their significance is even greater given the interconnected nature of these fronts.
These achievements, first and foremost, belong to the IDF’s commanders and soldiers — my subordinates. IDF troops, both in active duty and reserves, from all sectors of Israeli society, stood up to fight this just war, fought with bravery and sacrifice, and emerged victorious in every encounter with the enemy.
These accomplishments came at a heavy cost. We suffered the loss of some of our finest warriors, the bereaved families grew in number, and the war has left deep wounds and scars on many. The IDF will always remain committed to these families and to the memory of the fallen.
The war’s objectives have yet to be fully achieved. The IDF will continue to fight to dismantle Hamas’s governance and military capabilities, to secure the return of all the hostages, and to strengthen the security conditions that will allow the safe return of residents to their homes in the south and north.
The IDF has initiated and implemented an unprecedented and extensive investigation process during wartime, aimed at learning and improving, strengthening combat and defense capabilities, and as part of its commitment to the bereaved families, to the hostages and their families, and to the entire public.
These investigations are thorough, truthful, and in-depth, currently in their final stages, and have already yielded critical lessons that have been integrated into force deployment and military preparedness.
In recognition of my responsibility for the IDF’s failure on October 7, and at a time when the IDF has recorded extraordinary achievements and restored Israel’s deterrence and strength, I request to conclude my tenure on March 6, 2025.
This decision was made long ago. Now, with the IDF holding the upper hand in all theaters of combat and with another hostage return agreement underway, the time has come.
In the time remaining, I will finalize the investigations and continue strengthening the IDF’s readiness for the challenges ahead. This will ensure a smooth and structured transition of command to my successor.
I will always be a soldier of the State of Israel.
Herzi Halevi
Chief of the General Staff
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SOURCE: www.timesofisrael.com
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