Helevi
© Amir Cohen/AFP/Getty ImagesLt. Gen. Herzi Halevi
The head of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi has resigned and will leave his post on March 6.

According to the Times of Israel, Halevi said in a statement:
"I am leaving after recognizing my responsibility for the failure of the IDF on October 7, and at the point in time in which the IDF has recorded significant achievements, and is in the process of implementing an agreement to release hostages. I will transfer command of the IDF in a high-quality and thorough manner to my replacement."
Meanwhile, the head of the IDF Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, is following Halevi's lead, and says he too plans to resign from the military over his responsibility for the IDF's failures leading up to the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack.

Finkelman wrote in a letter to Halevi.
"Following my conscience and the values that guide me, I have decided to conclude my tenure as Commander of the Southern Command and my service in the IDF. On October 7, I failed in my duty to protect the Western Negev and its beloved, heroic residents."
Following the resignations, the head of the Knesset's opposition parties, Yair Lapid, called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to follow their lead and resign.
Yair Lapid
© Yonatan Sindel/Flash90Opposition Leader Yair Lapid โ€ข Knesset Committee Meeting โ€ข January 14, 2025
Lapid posted on X:
"I salute...Herzi Halevi. Now let the prime minister and his entire disastrous government take responsibility and resign."
Another opposition leader, Yisrael Beytenu, said
"After the resignation of the [IDF] chief of staff, I call on the prime minister and the other members of the cabinet to take responsibility and follow him home."