Israel fires top generals over October 7 attack

Israel’s military has announced the dismissal of three generals and disciplinary measures against several other senior officers for their roles in the intelligence and security lapses that allowed the October 2023 Hamas assault — the deadliest attack in the nation’s history.

The decision follows rising public pressure for accountability, coming just two weeks after Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir ordered a “systemic investigation” into the events leading up to the attack. While the military has moved swiftly to address internal failures, the Israeli government continues to face criticism for delaying the establishment of a full state commission of inquiry.

The list of generals fired includes three divisional commanders, one of whom was then serving as the military intelligence chief.

A military statement released Sunday said all three bear personal responsibility for the armed forces’ failure to prevent the attack launched by Hamas from the Gaza Strip.

The firing comes after all three had already resigned from their posts.

Disciplinary actions were also announced against the head of the navy and air force along with moves against four other generals and several senior officers.

Earlier this month, a report by a committee of experts appointed by the military chief Zamir was published marking the conclusion of the army’s internal investigations into the October 7th attacks.

The report concluded that there had been a “long-standing systemic and organisational failure” within the military apparatus.

The investigation also noted the military’s “intelligence failure” over its “inability to raise the alarm” over the attacks — even though the army had “exceptional, high-quality information.”

It also deplored “deficient decision-making processes and force deployment during the night of October 7, 2023” and pointed to failures across the military’s chain of command.