The Israeli military’s chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, has summoned approximately a dozen senior commanders to announce their impending ouster or disciplinary action due to failures linked to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack. This decisive move marks the most significant punitive action against military personnel since the incident, which was the deadliest day in Israel’s history, resulting in around 1,200 deaths and numerous kidnappings.
Zamir’s decision to hold commanders accountable, although not from the highest ranks, carries substantial symbolic weight. The failures of Israeli institutions on that fateful day have ignited intense national discourse. In a statement released on Sunday, Zamir acknowledged the military’s “severe, resounding, systemic failure” to protect Israeli civilians. He emphasized the necessity for action to restore public trust in the military and establish clear standards for command responsibility.
“I have decided, after careful consideration, to draw personal conclusions regarding commanders holding certain positions who served on October 7,” Zamir stated. The commanders affected by this decision were not named, but many were reportedly serving in reserves and will be released from their duties.
This development follows a recent announcement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated that the government would conduct an official inquiry into the attacks, a move that had been met with skepticism. Critics expressed concern that a team appointed by Netanyahu, who held leadership during the attacks, would lack independence. Protests in Tel Aviv on Saturday called for an independent state inquiry.
Zamir’s actions came after he ordered an independent review of the military’s internal investigations into the attack. Findings from this review revealed that the extent of individual officers’ failures had not been adequately reflected in earlier public disclosures. In February, preliminary results indicated that senior officers had significantly underestimated Hamas and misinterpreted early signs of an impending major assault. Officials clarified at that time that investigations were not aimed at assigning individual blame but could lead to such determinations later.
Since taking over as chief of staff in March, Zamir has emphasized accountability. He reviewed inquiries conducted under the command of his predecessor, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, who resigned this year, citing personal responsibility for the military’s failures on October 7.
The aftermath of the attacks saw approximately 250 individuals kidnapped and taken to Gaza, with subsequent Israeli military actions resulting in significant casualties among Palestinians. The Gaza Health Ministry reported nearly 70,000 fatalities in the ensuing conflict, a figure that includes many women and children.
Initial investigations were framed by the military as a means to learn from that tragic day to prevent future occurrences. Zamir’s recent review and decision to discipline individual officers reflect an attempt to reinforce the importance of accountability within the military.
Zamir acknowledged the difficulty of making such decisions, stating, “It is not easy to make decisions that affect people I appreciate and who dedicated their lives to the security of the nation.” Nonetheless, he concluded that establishing clear accountability is crucial to maintaining trust in the military institution.
