Halevi refuses to retire despite criticism over October 7 failures
The Hebrew website "Walla", which specializes in security affairs, revealed that the Chief of Staff of the Israeli army, Herzi Halevi, does not intend to retire in the near future, despite bearing full responsibility for the massive failure of October 7.
Despite the criticism he faces from the security establishment and public opinion, Halevi seeks to remain in his position for an additional 3 years, which is the remaining period of his current term.
According to the website, Halevi has not yet presented the results of the General Staff's investigation into the failure of October 7 to the public. However, he is determined to remain in his position to ensure that the General Staff is formed in a way that allows him to identify his potential successor, in the event that he is forced to retire early.
The report added that Halevi's determination to remain is also linked to his fears that Defense Minister Yoav Galant will not continue in his position for a long time due to his differences with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Major appointments in the army
Halevi made major appointments in the army, including appointing Major General Shlomi Bender as director of military intelligence, a decision that sparked widespread criticism in security circles and beyond, especially since Bender was the commander of the operations division during the events of October 7.
Halevi is also awaiting the appointment of a new commander of the ground forces, after the commander of this force, Major General Tamir Yadai, announced his desire to retire. This expected appointment will lead to other changes in the General Staff, including the appointment of the deputy chief of staff
Walla also noted that Halevi intends to appoint the commander of the Northern Command in the army, Maj. Gen. Yuri Gordin, who is close to him, as his deputy in case he is forced to step down early, which means that he is preparing him to be his potential successor. According to the report, there are estimates at the top of the army hierarchy that Halevi may push senior veteran officers into retirement, which will enable him to shape the future of the General Staff according to his vision.
The website quoted people close to Halevi as saying that he was fully aware of the extent of the responsibility placed on his shoulders from the first moment he assumed responsibility for the failure of October 7, but he believes that the current time is not appropriate to submit his resignation, given the sensitivity of the stage in which he is leading the war on multiple fronts, including the ground incursion into the Gaza Strip and the assassination of senior resistance leaders. Halevi had acknowledged in March that the army had failed to repel the attack of October 7, but he indicated in May that the investigation at this stage "harms the war effort."
In contrast, Israeli State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman criticized the lack of accountability and the failure to form an official government committee to investigate the October 7 failure, stressing that the continuation of the war is not enough to justify not starting an investigation.