Israel military intelligence chief resigns over lapses leading to Hama's terror attack

The leader of Israeli military intelligence resigned Monday over the lapses that allowed Hamas to execute its deadly Oct. 7 2023 terror attack, according to the Israel military. 

The resignation of Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva makes him the first senior Israeli figure to step down over his role in the deadliest assault in Israel’s history, according to the Associated Press.

“The intelligence directorate under my command did not live up to the task we were entrusted with," Haliva said in his resignation. "I carry that black day with me ever since, day after day, night after night. I will carry the horrible pain of the war with me forever."

Haliva’s resignation could be first such among Israel’s top security officials over the attack – in which the militant group penetrated Israel’s border defenses from Gaza and rampaged through Israeli border communities unchallenged for hours.

Roughly 1,200 people, most civilians, were killed in the attack and about 250 were taken hostage. The attack resulted in Israel almost immediately declaring war on Hamas.