JERUSALEM — On Tuesday, Israel’s highest-ranking military official announced his resignation, accepting accountability for the security breakdown that allowed Hamas to launch a surprise assault on October 7, 2023, an event that initiated the current conflict in Gaza. This development intensifies the scrutiny on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has postponed any public inquiries that might challenge his authority.
Currently, a precarious ceasefire is in place in Gaza, yet Israel has commenced a major military operation in the occupied West Bank, reportedly resulting in the deaths of at least nine individuals and injuries to 40 others, according to Palestinian sources.
Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi’s resignation marks him as the highest-ranking Israeli official to step down over the failures leading up to the Hamas-led attack, which involved a coordinated assault by militants across land, sea, and air. The assault has been recorded as the deadliest in Israeli history, resulting in around 1,200 deaths, predominantly among civilians, alongside the abduction of approximately 250 individuals, with more than 90 still believed to be in Gaza.
Halevi’s resignation, effective March 6, coincides with the nascent ceasefire with Hamas that may pave the way for concluding the prolonged 15-month conflict and potentially lead to the release of remaining captives. Additionally, Major General Yaron Finkelman, who heads Israel’s Southern Command, has also submitted his resignation.
These resignations are likely to amplify the calls for a public inquiry into the October 7 security failures, a process Netanyahu has stated should be deferred until hostilities cease. In Halevi’s resignation letter, he mentioned that military investigations into the breakdown are nearing completion. Furthermore, he openly advocated for a thorough public inquiry during discussions with reporters, assuring that the military would commit to offering full transparency.
The internal dynamics within the Israeli defense establishment appear strained, with Halevi seemingly at odds with the new Defense Minister, Israel Katz. While Halevi suggested that Israel has largely achieved its objectives in the conflict, Katz aligned himself with Netanyahu’s insistence on continuing military actions against Hamas until there is a decisive victory. Minister Katz replaced Yoav Gallant, who was ousted by Netanyahu following increasing tensions regarding war strategy.
Regarding operations in the West Bank, the ceasefire that began on Sunday does not extend there, prompting Israel to initiate an offensive against militants in the city of Jenin. This area has been a flashpoint, marked by numerous Israeli military incursions and violent encounters with militants. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged Israeli security forces to exercise the utmost restraint during this operation.
Since the 1967 Middle East conflict, Israel has maintained control over the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, territories that Palestinians envision as part of a future independent state. Violence in the West Bank has escalated concurrently with the ongoing war in Gaza, where near-daily Israeli raids have sparked clashes, and attacks against Palestinians by extremist Jewish groups have reportedly surged. In response to the Israeli operation in Jenin, Hamas called upon Palestinians in the West Bank to intensify their resistance. The smaller militant faction, Islamic Jihad, denounced the offensive as a “desperate attempt” by Netanyahu to solidify his political standing.
Domestically, Netanyahu is under pressure from far-right coalitions opposing the ceasefire agreement, which necessitates the withdrawal of Israeli troops from populated areas in Gaza and anticipates the release of numerous Palestinian prisoners, including those convicted of serious offenses against Israelis. Even as the truce has come into effect, Hamas has demonstrated its ongoing presence and influence in the region, showcasing that, despite significant casualties amidst war, they remain a stronghold.
The first phase of the ceasefire is set to last six weeks, with plans for the gradual release of hostages. Thus far, three hostages and 90 prisoners were released when the ceasefire commenced. The next exchange is scheduled for Saturday, while discussions concerning a more complex second phase will begin in two weeks. Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s coalition remains fragile as former ally Itamar Ben-Gvir exited the government on Sunday, still leaving Netanyahu with sufficient parliamentary support. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has threatened to withdraw his support if military operations do not resume post-ceasefire.
In a separate incident late Tuesday, reports surfaced of a terror attack in Tel Aviv, where four individuals were injured by a stabbing incident. Authorities identified the attacker as a 28-year-old foreign national, who was subsequently killed by security personnel.
In a more somber context, as the ceasefire allows some respite, emergency crews in Gaza have been recovering bodies that were previously unreachable. Civil defense worker Haitham Hams reported the retrieval of 120 decomposed bodies over just two days in Rafah, with ongoing desperate efforts to access those trapped under debris. Local health authorities state that the military interventions since the onset of conflict have resulted in the deaths of over 47,000 Palestinians, significantly comprising women and children, though official figures on fatalities amongst militants remain elusive.
As humanitarian efforts ramp up, nearly 900 trucks with aid have entered Gaza on the third day of the ceasefire, surpassing initial expectations for supplies to address the dire needs of the over two million residents. Many displaced Palestinians voiced their urgent need for basic essentials as they awaited relief in Khan Younis.
