The Israeli military is undergoing significant leadership changes following failures related to the October 7 attacks that marked the deadliest day in Israel’s history. On Sunday, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the chief of staff of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), announced that approximately a dozen senior commanders would either be ousted or disciplined due to their roles in the events surrounding the Hamas-led assault.
This decision represents the most extensive and punitive action taken against military officials since the attacks. Zamir emphasized that the military had “failed in its primary mission on Oct. 7 — to protect the civilians of the state of Israel,” describing the incident as a “severe, resounding, systemic failure.” His statements underscore the urgent need to restore trust in the military and establish clear standards for command responsibility.
The identities of the affected commanders have not been disclosed, but many of them are reportedly reservists who will be released from service. This action follows a recent commitment from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to conduct an official inquiry into the attacks, a move that has drawn criticism. Critics are concerned that the inquiry team, appointed by the same leader who was in charge during the attacks, may lack the independence necessary for a thorough investigation. Protests in Tel Aviv have called for a state inquiry that is free from government oversight.
Zamir’s decision to hold commanders accountable comes in the wake of an independent review into the military’s internal investigations. The inquiry, which concluded this month, revealed that the extent of individual officers’ failings had not been adequately represented in initial public findings. In February, preliminary findings indicated that senior officers had significantly underestimated Hamas’s capabilities and misinterpreted early indicators of an impending major assault.
The military’s recent investigations were not initially focused on assigning individual responsibility, but with the findings of the independent review, Zamir concluded that taking personal accountability was essential. He stated, “Having considered the conclusions, individual assessments of responsibility were a necessary step.”
The previous chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, who commanded the military during the attacks, resigned earlier this year, attributing his decision in part to the military’s failures on that day. The cross-border attack resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and about 250 kidnappings into Gaza. In retaliation, nearly 70,000 Palestinians were reported killed during the subsequent Israeli assault, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians.
Zamir highlighted the difficult nature of his decisions, expressing appreciation for the service of the officers being disciplined. He remarked, “It is not easy to make decisions that affect people I appreciate and who dedicated their lives to the security of the nation.” Despite the challenges of accountability, he reiterated the necessity of reinforcing the meaning of responsibility in order to maintain trust in the military.
As the situation evolves, the implications of these disciplinary actions could resonate through the ranks of the IDF and shape the future of military leadership in Israel.
