Israeli Army Chief General Hertzl Halevi admitted on Sunday evening that the army had failed to prevent the October 7th attacks, assuming responsibility for the lapse. In his statements broadcasted by Israeli media, Halevi stated, “I take responsibility for the Israeli army’s failure in its mission to protect the citizens of Israel on October 7th. I feel the weight of it on my shoulders every day, and in my heart, I fully understand its significance.”
Addressing the families of the Israeli casualties in Gaza, Halevi expressed, “I am the commander who sent your sons and daughters into the battle from which they did not return, and to the locations from which they were abducted.”
The Chief of Staff also emphasized Israel’s determination to complete the war in Gaza, asserting, “We are determined to complete the mission despite recognizing the cost. The more our enemies rise against us, the more we will be on high alert, ready and prepared to respond forcefully to any attempt to harm us.”
On October 7th, Hamas launched an attack on Israel resulting in the deaths of 1170 people, mostly civilians, according to a count by Agence France-Presse based on Israeli official figures. More than 250 people were kidnapped during the attack, with 128 still held in Gaza, and 36 of them have died, according to Israeli officials.
In response to the attack, Israel pledged to eliminate Hamas. Since then, the Israeli army has carried out a devastating bombing campaign and ground operations in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 35,000 people, mostly civilians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
