Failed To Prevent Hamas Attacks, Israel's Intelligence Chief Resigns

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Head of Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate, Aharon HaIVA, announced his resignation due to his department's failure to prevent an attack by the Palestinian Hamas movement on October 7, 2023.

"By coordinating with the Chief of General Staff (Herzi Halevi), the Head of the Intelligence Directorate of MG Aharon Haiva has asked to be dismissed from his position, following the responsibility of his leadership as Head of the Intelligence Directorate for the October 7 incident," the Israeli armed forces (IDF) posted on social media X.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack on Israel and violated the border, attacking civilian environments and military bases.

Nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed and about 240 others kidnapped in the attack.

Israel launched retaliatory attacks, ordered a total blockade of Gaza, and began ground attacks on Palestinian enclaves with the aim of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages.

As a result, more than 34,000 people have been killed so far as a result of Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities.

On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas over a temporary ceasefire and exchange of several detainees and hostages, as well as sending humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

The ceasefire has been extended several times and ended on December 1.

There are currently more than 100 hostages believed to be still being held by Hamas in Gaza.

On April 7, a new chapter of the Israeli-Hamas negotiations began in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

The ceasefire proposal made at the negotiations regulates the release of 40 Israeli hostages in exchange for 900 Palestinian prisoners as part of a three-stage plan adopted by international mediators.

Hamas has largely rejected the proposal, saying they will propose their own plans to end the conflict permanently in the region.