"I Failed the Results Test": IDF Northern Brigade Commander announces resignation over October 7 failures

The wave of resignations following October 7th continues: Three months after Maj. Gen. (Res.) Herzi Halevi announced his dismissal, the Northern Brigade Commander Lt. Col. Haim Cohen recently informed the Chief of Staff and Southern Command commander of the end of his tenure.

In his resignation letter, Cohen wrote: "After twenty-three of the best years of my life, as a fighter in the Israel Defense Forces, who commanded and led thousands of fighters to the battlefield, I wish to inform you that at the end of my tenure as Northern Brigade Commander, I want to leave the IDF. On October 7th, the brigade under my command did not fulfill its mission of defending the Gaza envelope residents during a surprise war. In the test of results, I failed!"

He added: "I will not forget the killing fields of innocent civilians lying in their blood, the inferno and heroism of the few forces under my command, the emergency squads and brave citizens, children of light facing a barbaric terrorist army. I will not forget the deep disappointment of the complete surprise, and the first hours when we fought alone. The smells of death and the screams on the radio will never leave my memory."

"I will forever bow my head"

The outgoing brigade commander continued: "We recovered and rebounded with unimaginable losses in the rear and front, we did not stop until we cleared the area of the last terrorists, and went on the offensive. With a broken heart and a steadfast spirit." He addressed the bereaved families, saying, "The sons and daughters who fell are heroes and saints. I will forever bow my head."

"After a year and a half of learning, leading, and rehabilitating the brigade, which was my home and its soldiers were my children, transforming the memory and killing ash into resilience and rebuilding, just like the phoenix. After a prolonged battle in which we established defense lines in enemy territory and established the principle of outposts before settlements. After witnessing the resurrection of the Gaza envelope residents and the rebuilding of emergency squads." He said he will now focus on "my personal and family rehabilitation."

"As a brigade commander who led one of the most difficult battles in the history of the State of Israel, I will always be ready to share my blood-seared experience, as an ordinary citizen, for the security of the state."

He concluded his letter to the Chief of Staff: "The mission is not over! We must quickly return our suffering brothers from captivity and the fallen to a proper burial! I am confident that you will lead the army to a complete victory over the faint-hearted. Saluting my fallen brothers and sisters in arms, sending healing wishes to the wounded, and praying for the return of the hostages. Hope to the Lord, be strong and He will strengthen your heart, and hope to the Lord."