Israeli Chief of Staff Dismisses Senior Officers Involved in October 7 Failures

SadaNews - On Sunday, the Chief of Staff of the Israeli army dismissed high-ranking officers in the army due to the failure on October 7, 2023, which witnessed an unprecedented attack by Hamas, and made other decisions against some of them.

In a speech where he announced his decisions, which were previously published before he delivered his remarks, Zamir stated, "The Israeli army is committed to conducting a comprehensive, professional, and thorough investigation into everything that happened on that horrific day."

He added that "the Israeli army failed in its primary mission on October 7, which is to protect the citizens of Israel, and I have seriously decided to draw personal conclusions regarding some officials."

He mentioned that "this decision is complex, stemming from my responsibility to balance institutional and leadership considerations and the needs of the Israeli army."

Among the officers Zamir decided to dismiss is the head of operations for the Israeli army, who held the position at the time, Oded Basyuk, and the intelligence officer for the Gaza Division, among other senior officers who held central positions before and during the attack on October 7, 2023, following the conclusions of the "Turgeman" committee.

The decisions came through urgent meetings held by Zamir on Sunday with the relevant officers, in a move described as one of the most sensitive since the outbreak of the war, which could lead to a "shock within the army," according to Israeli media reports.

Zamir's decisions include relieving officers who had submitted their resignations from their positions, from the reserve forces, which could change their status in the army, and be recorded as having been dismissed, not resigned.

Zamir's decisions are as follows:

Former head of military intelligence, Major General (res.) Aharon Halifa; relieved from reserve duty.

Former head of operations, Major General Oded Basyuk; relieved from reserve duty.

Former Southern Command leader, Major General Yaron Finkelman; relieved from reserve duty.

Air Force Commander, Major General Tomer Bar; it was decided to issue a leadership note in his military file, and according to Zamir, the Air Force failed in its mission to protect Israel's skies from threats "close to the ground (drones)," which reflects significant gaps.

Navy Commander David Sa'ar Salama; issued a leadership note in his military file.

Current military intelligence chief Major General Shlomi Bender, who was the operations commander on October 7, 2023; will receive a leadership note in his military file. Upon his request, he will retire from the army after his term as chief of military intelligence ends.

Israeli reports indicated that Zamir saw himself as the right person to lead the intelligence division of the army.

Former operations officer in the military intelligence administration, Colonel (name not mentioned by the army for intelligence evaluations); will retire from the Israeli army.

Former head of Unit 8200 (part of military intelligence) Major General (res.) Yossi Shari'il; relieved from reserve duty.

Former commander of the Gaza military division, Major Avi Rosenfeld; it was decided to dismiss him from reserve duty.

Former commander of the Southern Command, Ariel Leibovski; it was decided to dismiss him from reserve duty.

Former commander of the Northern Brigade in the Gaza Division, Chaim Cohen; dismissed from reserve duty.

Former intelligence officer in the Gaza military division; will begin an "immediate" process to end his service in the Israeli army.