Israel’s military sacks three generals and disciplines senior officers for failures leading to the deadly October 7 Hamas attack, amid political pressure
JERUSALEM: Israel’s military has dismissed three generals and taken disciplinary action against several other senior officers for their failure to prevent the October 2023 Hamas attack.
The dismissals follow a military investigation ordered by chief of staff Eyal Zamir into the systemic failures that enabled the deadliest attack in Israel’s history.
A military statement said the fired generals, including divisional commanders and a former intelligence chief, bore personal responsibility for the armed forces’ failure.
All three generals had already resigned from their posts, including former southern command chief General Yaron Finkelman.
Disciplinary actions were also announced against the heads of the navy and air force, plus four other generals and several senior officers.
The moves come amid ongoing questions about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s potential responsibility for the security failures.
Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that addressing the October 7 failures should wait until after the Gaza war concludes.
Polls show widespread Israeli public support for establishing an inquiry to determine responsibility for the security lapses.
Netanyahu’s government has so far refused to form such an independent commission.
The Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, resulted in 1,221 deaths and sparked a devastating two-year war in Gaza.
Israel’s retaliatory assault has killed at least 69,756 people in Gaza, according to UN-verified health ministry figures.
A recent military investigation report concluded there was “long-standing systemic and organisational failure” before and during the attack.
Defence Minister Israel Katz has tasked the defence comptroller with examining whether further investigations are needed.
Chief of staff Zamir called the decision to question the report “puzzling” in an unusual public statement.
Zamir stated the military is “the only body that has thoroughly investigated its own failures and taken responsibility.”
Israeli media noted this marks the latest friction between Zamir and Katz over war prosecution.
Meanwhile in Gaza, Israel’s military said troops shot three militants who crossed the ceasefire “Yellow Line” near Khan Yunis.
Gaza’s civil defence reported two Palestinians killed by a drone strike in the same area.
Nasser Hospital confirmed receiving two bodies and three injured Palestinians, including one in critical condition.
Another person was killed by tank fire in Gaza City, according to civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal.
Hamas accuses Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement by shifting the Yellow Line further into Gaza.
A Hamas leadership delegation has been in Cairo meeting mediators to agree on terms for the second phase of the US-brokered truce. – AFP
