(JNS) Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi informed Defense Minister Israel Katz that he plans to resign in March, Hebrew media reported on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Halevi, who succeeded Lt. Gen. (res.) Aviv Kochavi in January 2023, said that his decision stems from his “responsibility for the IDF’s failure” during the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border massacre.
“At this juncture, when the IDF has recorded significant achievements and is in the process of implementing a deal to release the hostages, I request to end my position on March 6, 2025,” Halevi wrote to Katz.
The chief of staff vowed in the letter to transfer his command of the military “in a qualitative and thorough manner” to his successor.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Halevi following the announcement, expressing his gratitude for Halevi’s years of dedicated service, the Israeli government stated.
Netanyahu also thanked Halevi for his leadership in “commanding the IDF in the War of Redemption on seven fronts, which has led to major achievements for the State of Israel.”
The two leaders agreed to arrange a meeting in the coming days.
With his resignation, Halevi would become the third-shortest-serving permanent IDF chief of staff after Dan Halutz, who stepped down from the role after some 20 months following the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.
Israel’s Kan News public broadcaster noted that Halevi asked Katz to conclude his position after the first 42-day phase of the current hostage deal with Hamas is expected to end, on March 1.
Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, head of the IDF Southern Command, also announced his intention to resign on Tuesday, citing responsibility for the IDF’s failures before the Oct. 7 attacks.
Finkelman wrote in his Hebrew letter, “On Oct. 7, I failed to protect the Western Negev and its courageous, beloved residents. This failure will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
He added: “Driven by my duty to the State of Israel, I have since worked to lead the fight against Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza.
“In this conflict, we delivered a significant blow to Hamas. We must continue to target the enemy, bring our hostages home, and restore security and prosperity to our communities.”
