Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, Israel’s Army Chief, has resigned, taking responsibility for the military’s failure during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack. Major General Yaron Finkelman, head of Israel’s Southern Military Command overseeing Gaza, also stepped down.

According to The Times of Israel, their resignations, announced on January 21, came days after a ceasefire agreement with Hamas was brokered by Qatar, the US, and Egypt.

In his resignation letter, Halevi acknowledged the military’s shortcomings on October 7 but stated he was stepping down during a period of significant military achievements. He expressed hope for the return of displaced Israelis and reaffirmed the army’s commitment to dismantling Hamas’s governance and ensuring the release of hostages.

The ceasefire, effective January 19, has allowed thousands of displaced Palestinians to begin returning to their homes. However, the conflict has left a trail of devastation.

On October 7, Hamas launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on southern Israel, killing 1,210 people and taking 251 hostages, including women and children. Israel responded with relentless air and ground assaults on Gaza for over 15 months, targeting hospitals, schools, and shelters.

UN reports estimate that over 46,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, with over 20 million displaced due to the conflict.