October 7 Failure: a wave of dismissals and reprimands led by the Israeli army
Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir announced on Sunday a series of dismissals and reprimands within the military leadership following the failure of October 7, 2023.
Many Israeli military, security and political officials had described Hamas’s attack on the Gaza envelope that day as a major military, security and intelligence failure.
The dismissals had been postponed until the end of the war.
In an address to the Israeli public, Zamir declared that the Israeli army had failed in its primary mission on October 7: protecting Israeli citizens.
He stated: “Upon assuming office as Chief of Staff, I faced two urgent missions: leading the Israeli army toward victory and decisive outcomes in a multi-front war while neutralising existential threats and returning the hostages; and restoring public confidence in the army and ensuring that the events of October 7 never happen again.”
He added: “The Israeli army is committed to conducting a comprehensive, professional and thorough investigation into everything that occurred on that horrific day. As part of this commitment, I have taken several steps, including forming an independent investigative team to assess the inquiries and their quality. Today, I present the decisions I have taken, as part of my responsibility as Chief of Staff.”
Zamir continued: “My conclusions present a clear and unequivocal picture: the Israeli army failed in its primary mission on October 7, the protection of Israel’s citizens. This is a grave, resounding and systemic failure related to decisions and conduct before and during the event. The lessons of that day are numerous and crucial, and they must guide our future.”
He stated: “Accordingly, I have decided, with full responsibility, to draw personal conclusions concerning certain officials serving on October 7. This decision is complex and results from balancing structural and leadership considerations with the operational needs of the army during a volatile period filled with threats.”
According to Israel’s military radio, Zamir’s decisions included the dismissal of several senior officers and the reprimand of others for their role in the failure of October 7, 2023.
Dismissal decisions:
– Dismissal of former intelligence directorate chief, Major General Aharon Haliva, who resigned in August 2024, from the reserve; he will no longer serve in the army.
– Dismissal of former operations directorate chief, Major General Oded Basiuk, whose term ended in July 2025, from the reserve; he will no longer serve in the army.
– Dismissal of former southern command chief, Major General Yaron Finkelman, who resigned in March 2025, from the reserve; he will no longer serve in the army.
– Dismissal of Brigadier General Yossi Sariel, former commander of Unit 8200, from the reserve; he will no longer serve in the army.
– Dismissal of Brigadier General Avi Rosenfeld, former Gaza Division commander, from the reserve; he will no longer serve in the army.
– Dismissal of former southern command intelligence chief, Colonel Ariel Lobovsky, from the reserve; he will no longer serve in the army.
– Dismissal of Colonel Haim Cohen, commander of the northern brigade of the Gaza Division on October 7, from the reserve; he will no longer serve in the army.
– Dismissal of Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Levovsky, intelligence officer in the Gaza Division, from the army.
– Dismissal of Brigadier General “G”, head of operational operations within military intelligence on October 7, from the army.
– Dismissal of the commander of the northern brigade of the Gaza Division, Haim Cohen, from the reserve; he will not return to service.
Reprimand decisions:
– Official reprimand for the current head of military intelligence, Major General Shlomi Binder, who served on October 7 as head of the operations division; he will remain in his post until the end of his term in 2028, after which he will retire from the army at his request.
– Official reprimand for the current commander of the Israeli Air Force, Major General Tomer Bar; he will remain in office until the end of his mandate in April 2026.
– Official reprimand for the commander of the Israeli Navy, Vice Admiral David Saar Salama, for the navy’s failure to counter the Hamas maritime attack on October 7; he will remain in office until the end of his mandate in the coming months.
