Three years after the October 7, 2023 operation, nearly the entire senior security and military leadership that held responsibility at the time has changed — while Benjamin Netanyahu remains Prime Minister.
Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi left his post after acknowledging his responsibility. Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar ended his term, Military Intelligence chief Aharon Haliva resigned, while Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was dismissed. Later, National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi was also removed. A number of other senior officials associated with the failures of that day were likewise affected by resignations, dismissals, or the termination of their service.
The political contradiction is clear: Israel’s military and intelligence establishment witnessed a broad wave of resignations, dismissals, and senior officials accepting responsibility, while Netanyahu remained in office. Debate inside Israel also continues over the extent of his political responsibility and whether an independent and comprehensive state commission of inquiry should be formed to investigate the failures of October 7.
Three years have passed, and many names at the top of Israel’s security establishment have changed… but the man who stood at the top of the political hierarchy on October 7 is still in his position.