Three Top Israeli Officers Dismissed Over October 7th Incident, Others Disciplined

Israel's military chief has fired three top commanders and disciplined several others over their failure to prevent Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack. The dismissals mark the first major accountability measures taken by the Israeli Defense Forces following what an internal investigation called "deep systemic and organizational failure."

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir announced the dismissals Sunday evening, targeting Military Intelligence Chief Aharon Haliva, Southern Command Chief Yaron Finkelman, and Operations Chief Udi Basyouk. All three had already left their positions - Haliva and Finkelman resigned in 2024 taking responsibility for the intelligence failure, while Basyouk retired after Israel's 12-day war with Iran last June.

But Zamir's formal action goes beyond their departures. The dismissals officially establish that disciplinary measures were taken and completely end their military careers. According to the army statement, the three commanders bear personal responsibility for the military's failure to anticipate and respond to the attack.

The dismissals follow an expert committee report that concluded the military's internal investigation into October 7 failures. The findings paint a damning picture of institutional breakdown. Investigators found a "gap between strategic and operational reality, and the military establishment's perception of reality regarding Gaza and Hamas."

The report revealed what it called an "intelligence failure" - specifically the military's inability to sound proper warnings despite having "exceptional and qualitative" information about potential threats. This suggests Israeli forces had warning signs but failed to connect the dots or act on available intelligence.

The accountability measures extend beyond the three dismissed commanders. Air Force Chief Tomer Bar and Navy Chief David Sar received disciplinary sanctions. Four additional generals and four senior officers also face penalties.

These dismissals represent the military's attempt to address institutional failures that allowed Hamas to carry out its surprise attack. But the report's findings raise uncomfortable questions about how Israeli forces, despite their technological advantages and intelligence capabilities, missed clear warning signs of the impending assault.

The formal disciplinary action comes as Israel continues to face scrutiny over its preparedness and response to security threats. The October 7 attack exposed significant gaps in the country's defense posture, particularly regarding Gaza-based militant groups that Israeli intelligence had apparently underestimated.