TheLittleTwentieth – Renowned Papers Edition, AI Infused

Local sources from Israel: ynet ידיעות אחרונות, הארץ.
UK coverage: BBC.

In a shocking turn of events, the head of Israel’s military intelligence, Major General Aharon Haliva, has resigned from his position following the deadly stampede that took place on October 7th. The tragedy, which claimed the lives of 45 people, has been attributed to intelligence failures. Major General Haliva, in his resignation letter, expressed his deep remorse and stated that the intelligence branch did not fulfill its mission. He further emphasized that he will carry the pain of the incident with him forever.

The stampede occurred during a religious festival at Mount Meron, where thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews had gathered. The incident has raised serious questions about the factors and circumstances that contributed to the tragedy. Major General Haliva has called for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry to thoroughly investigate the intelligence failures and shed light on the events leading up to the stampede.

The resignation of Major General Haliva has sent shockwaves through the security establishment. Some argue that it should have happened earlier, as the extent of the systemic failure became apparent on October 7th. However, his resignation now sets a precedent for other senior officials in both the IDF and the Shin Bet to take responsibility for their roles in the incident. It is expected that more resignations will follow, possibly around Memorial Day and Independence Day.

The intelligence failure leading up to the stampede has been a matter of grave concern. It has become evident that Military Intelligence was blind to the signs indicating an imminent attack. They failed to interpret the training exercises of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, even in the days leading up to the tragedy. Despite the indications, they wrongly claimed that Hamas was deterred. The Head of Military Intelligence was not involved in the conversation that took place in the highest forum on the night of the incident, as he was on vacation with his family.

Major General Haliva’s resignation marks a significant moment in the aftermath of the stampede. It highlights the need for accountability and a thorough investigation into the intelligence failures. The establishment of a state commission of inquiry will hopefully provide answers and prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. As the security establishment grapples with the consequences of the incident, it is clear that there is a pressing need for introspection, learning from mistakes, and ensuring the safety of the people of Israel.