TEHRAN – The resignation of Israel’s top commander has highlighted the deep embarrassment the regime is experiencing following military setbacks.
Israeli army chief of staff Lieutenant General Helj Halevi decided on Tuesday to resign over his role in failing to stop the Al-Aqsa storm, a surprise military operation carried out by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. announced. .
In a letter to Army Minister Israel Katz, he said his resignation would take effect on March 6.
“On the morning of October 7, the Israel Defense Forces under my command failed in its mission to protect the Israeli people,” Halevi said in the letter.
He is the most senior Israeli to resign over Israel’s failure to fend off a Hamas attack that killed 1,100 people and captured about 250.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders in the Knesset demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu follow Halevi’s lead and resign.
“I salute Helj Halevi. It’s time for the prime minister and his entire pathetic government to take responsibility and resign,” opposition leader Yair Lapid said.
Avigdor Liberman, chairman of Yisrael Beitenu, echoed Lapid’s comments.
“Following the resignation of the (Israel Defense Forces) Chief of Staff, I call on the prime minister and other ministers to take responsibility and comply with his return,” he said, according to Israeli media.
Opposition leaders call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to follow Helj Halevi’s lead and resign, with Yair Golan of the Democratic Party making a similar call. “Thank you, Herzi. Prime Minister Netanyahu, it’s your turn now.”
Earlier this month, the Israeli army’s deputy chief of staff, Major General Amir Baram, notified Halevi in a letter of his resignation.
“In the current circumstances, my ability to contribute as deputy chief of staff is limited and I do not intend to serve for a full three or four years…I would certainly be happy to take on any role in the future.” It is needed in defense facilities,” Balam said.
According to the Times of Israel, relations between Mr. Halevi and Mr. Balaam have become somewhat strained amid the Gaza war, despite denials from both offices.
Mr. Balam has been seen as a possible successor to Mr. Halevi for several years.
Immediately after Hamas created the al-Aqsa storm, Israel began its war on Gaza.
Israeli forces have killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, but ultimately reached a ceasefire agreement with Hamas a week ago, which took effect over the weekend.
The ceasefire agreement underscored Israel’s inability to defeat Hamas. Halevi’s resignation is now seen as a diversion aimed at diverting attention from the regime’s decline in the face of growing Palestinian resistance.