TheLittleTwentieth – Renowned Papers Edition, AI Infused

Local sources from Israel: News1 מחלקה ראשונה, Makor Rishon.
UK coverage: The Guardian.

In a shocking turn of events, Major General Aharon Haliva, the head of Israel’s military intelligence, has tendered his resignation. This decision comes in the wake of the devastating attack by Hamas on October 7th, which resulted in the deadliest assault in Israel’s history. The failures surrounding the alert system during the attack have led to widespread public anger and calls for those responsible to step down.

Major General Haliva, in his resignation letter, expressed deep remorse for the intelligence division’s failure to fulfill its mission. He described the pain of war that he carries with him day and night since that fateful day. Taking responsibility for the lapse, he announced his retirement from the IDF and called for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry to investigate the contributing factors that led to the attack.

The resignation of Major General Haliva marks the first official to step down due to their involvement in the intelligence failures. His departure is expected to take place in June, coinciding with the publication of the investigations into the October 7th massacre. The IDF has already initiated investigations into the war, starting from 2018, with the findings set to be released in mid-June.

Major General Haliva’s resignation comes after a series of misjudgments in his assessment of the situation. Prior to Operation Guardian of the Walls, he incorrectly believed that Hamas was not prepared for an attack and might instead celebrate their holidays. However, just days later, Hamas launched a missile strike on Jerusalem, triggering the operation.

The IDF, in coordination with the Chief of Staff, has accepted Major General Haliva’s request to conclude his position following his command responsibility for the events of October 7th. The Minister of Defense has also approved the decision. The Chief of Staff expressed gratitude for Major General Haliva’s 38 years of service to the IDF, acknowledging his contributions as a warrior and commander for the security of the country.

As Israel grapples with the aftermath of the attack and the intelligence failures, demands for elections and further resignations continue to grow. The nation seeks answers and accountability for the events that unfolded on October 7th, with hopes of preventing such a tragedy from occurring again in the future.