In his final address as head of the Military Intelligence Directorate, Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva took full responsibility for failing to provide a warning before Hamas’s devastating October 7 attack.
Speaking during a handover ceremony at Glilot Base near Herzliya, Haliva acknowledged that the directorate had not fulfilled its primary mission on that critical Saturday. "The responsibility for the failures of the Military Intelligence Directorate is on me," he stated, underscoring his accountability.
In his resignation speech, Haliva subtly suggested that other officers should also take responsibility for their shortcomings and urged the establishment of a state commission of inquiry to investigate the failures leading to the war.
Reflecting on his decision to step down, which he announced in April due to his role in the events that led to the Hamas-led assault, Haliva emphasized that accountability and personal example are core values of the IDF and leadership in general. "Taking responsibility is not just words; it must be actions," he declared. He stressed that his resignation was in line with the norms and expectations of those who lead from the front.
Haliva concluded by calling for a thorough state commission of inquiry into "all aspects that led to war," ensuring that the tragic events of October 7 are never repeated. Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder, the former commander of the IDF’s Operations Division, has taken over his role.
* Times of Israel contributed to this article.
