The Chief of Staff Halevi and the commander responsible for Gaza have resigned in Israel.

A ceasefire and prisoner exchange that began on January 19 between Israel and Hamas brought about resignations. Chief of Staff Halevi and Southern Command Commander Finkelman, responsible for Gaza, announced their resignations.

According to reports in the Israeli press, Halevi submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz.

"I HAVE FELT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FAILURE EVERY DAY SINCE THE FIRST DAY"

In his resignation letter, Halevi stated that during the attack carried out by Hamas's armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, on October 7, 2023, "the Israeli army under his command failed to protect its citizens, and he has felt the responsibility for this terrible failure every day since the first day."

Halevi claimed that the Israeli army has "dealt heavy blows to Hamas's armed wing with its attacks that have been ongoing for 1 year and 3 months, pushed Hezbollah back in the north in an unprecedented manner, and weakened Iran and its regional activities." He asserted that they have achieved successes such as "the army's deployment in the occupied Golan Heights, the destruction of the Syrian army's capabilities, and the increase of activities in the occupied West Bank."

"I HAVE FAILED TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS"

On the other hand, Major General Yaron Finkelman, the commander of the Israeli Army's Southern Command responsible for Gaza and its surroundings, announced that he has submitted his resignation, stating that he has failed to protect the citizens living around Gaza.

Finkelman stated that he would continue to fulfill his responsibilities within the army until he hands over the duty to his successor.

Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi's disagreements with Prime Minister Netanyahu and the government over Israel's attacks on Gaza and the region came to light on October 7, 2023. In Israel, Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners made statements directly targeting Halevi.