The Israeli Defense Force, IDF, has sacked three army generals and imposed disciplinary measures on additional senior officers following their inability to stop the October 2023 Hamas assault, the deadliest attack Israel has ever experienced.
These actions follow a call made two weeks earlier by the Israeli military chief, Eyal Zamir, who urged a systemic investigation into the chain of failures that allowed the attack to unfold. His demand came amid criticism that the government has been slow to create an official state inquiry, despite rising public pressure.
Among those dismissed were three divisional commanders, including one who had been serving as the head of military intelligence at the time.
A statement issued by the military on Sunday, November 23, declared that these officers held direct responsibility for the security breakdown that enabled Hamas militants to strike from Gaza.
The dismissals formalize accountability after all three generals had previously stepped down, including General Yaron Finkelman, the former leader of the southern command.
Further disciplinary measures targeted the chiefs of both the navy and the air force, as well as four additional generals and several high-ranking officers.
Public attention now turns to whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will also face scrutiny for decisions and policies that may have contributed to the nation’s lack of preparedness.
For two years, Netanyahu has insisted that questions surrounding the failures of October 7 should be addressed only after the Gaza conflict concludes.
Surveys show widespread support among Israelis across political lines for launching a formal investigation to determine which officials were responsible for the security lapse.
Nevertheless, Netanyahu’s administration has not yet authorized such a commission.
The October 2023 Hamas attack in southern Israel resulted in 1,221 deaths and triggered a destructive two-year conflict in Gaza.
Israel’s subsequent military response has caused at least 69,756 deaths in Gaza, according to figures from the health ministry that the United Nations considers credible.
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