Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy said that they have a long way to go to achieve the goals of the war (French)

Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy claimed responsibility for what happened on October 7, saying that the current focus is on achieving the goals of the war declared by Israel against the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip.

Halevy added - in a statement he issued - “We failed on October 7 and we bear responsibility,” adding that “it is not right to harm the army, especially during war,” and revealed that there are people who were injured during the battles and must be replaced.

The Israeli Army Chief of Staff confirmed that he has the authority and responsibility to send soldiers to the battlefield as well as make appointment decisions, explaining that stopping appointments to the army command will harm his work.

In the same context, the Times of Israel newspaper quoted Halevy as saying that the army must discipline leaders who acted in violation of the protocols, referring to Brigadier General Dan Goldfus, who addressed politicians in a press conference without prior approval, and Brigadier General Barak Hiram, who ordered the demolition of the university you are using. The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Gaza - according to what Israel says - without obtaining the approval of its superiors.

He continued, "In war, it is very important to allow commanders on the battlefield the freedom required to carry out their tasks, and I trust and appreciate them very much. At the same time, I say what is clear: it is impossible to fight when discipline and rules are unclear and not strict."

The Israeli Army Chief of Staff said, “The balance between freedom and discipline is the key to success... A commander cannot override an order without permission if there is no practical, clear, and urgent need or reason for doing so.”

He also announced that leaders who violated the rules would be investigated and dealt with as quickly as possible.

Achieving war goals

Regarding the war with the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip, Halevy said that the Israeli army has “a long way to go to achieve the goals of the war,” stressing that the army is “ready to expand the military operation in accordance with the decisions of the political level,” as he put it.

Halevy claimed that the Israeli army killed and captured several Hamas leaders in the city of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip.

Israel says that among the goals of the war are the elimination of Hamas's military capabilities and the recovery of Israeli prisoners from Gaza, which it has been unable to achieve so far.

Regarding the northern border with Lebanon, Halevy said that the return of Israeli residents to their homes from which they were displaced in the north will occur after “full security is restored.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on invading the city of Rafah, in the far south of the Gaza Strip on the border with Egypt, despite regional and international warnings of the repercussions, in light of the presence of at least 1.4 million displaced people.

Halevy had previously been attacked by some of Netanyahu's government ministers, against the background of the investigation committee that Halevy ordered to be formed to investigate the causes of the events of last October 7, in reference to the Al-Aqsa flood battle.

Israeli Channel 12 reported that there is resentment among army officials because of what Halevy was subjected to in one of the previous meetings, and these officials indicated that they are fighting in Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank, at a time when the Council of Ministers is fighting them at home.

Since last October 7, Israel has been waging a devastating war on Gaza, leaving tens of thousands of martyrs and wounded, most of them children and women, and massive destruction and famine that claimed the lives of children and the elderly, according to Palestinian and UN data.

Which led to Israel being brought before the International Court of Justice on charges of committing "genocide."

Source: Al Jazeera + agencies + Israeli press