Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi on Wednesday officially stepped down as Israel’s senior officer over the country’s failure to prevent the Oct. 7, 2023, surprise attack by Hamas that resulted in the killing and abduction of more than 1,500 people, mostly civilians.
During a ceremony in Tel Aviv, Gen. Halevi was replaced as Israel Defense Forces chief of staff by newly promoted Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. Previously director general of the Defense Ministry, the 59-year-old Israeli general returned to the ranks after being named chief of staff by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
“I assume command of the IDF today with reverence and humility. I am fully aware of the immense responsibility placed upon me,” Gen. Zamir said. “This duty is unlike any other, as it is a moment of historical reckoning.”
He acknowledged that the IDF failed two years ago to protect Israel from its enemies. Hamas breached the border separating Israel from Gaza and quickly infiltrated Israeli communities along the Palestinian enclave.
Gen. Halevi, who announced in January he would be leaving his post, called for a commission to examine what happened during the massacre and to correct it.
“Out of this devastation, the people of Israel rose, once again proving their resilience and unity in a time of trial,” he said. “Civilians and soldiers alike initiated contact, charged into battle and fought — some as individuals while others were in small units — even at the cost of their own lives.”
Also attending Wednesday’s ceremony was Gen. Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command.
Gen. Halevi said in his farewell speech, “We saw many acts of heroism on October 7th and in the many months of war that followed — citizens who went out with a single handgun against terrorists with rifles, citizens who defend their families with self-sacrifice [and] supreme bravery.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also faced calls to step down over Israel’s intelligence and military failures related to October 7. He has resisted, saying now is not the time with the clash with Hamas and other regional foes still unsettled.
