Outgoing IDF Chief Herzi Halevi Calls for State Inquiry Into October 7 Massacre

During the IDF chief of staff changeover ceremony in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi called for a state inquiry into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government regarding the tragic events of the October 7 massacre. Halevi emphasized that such an inquiry was necessary not to place blame, but to uncover the root causes and facilitate future improvements.

"A state inquiry is necessary, not to accuse, but to get to the root of the problems, and to make it possible to fix them,” Halevi stated during the ceremony. This call comes amidst growing concerns regarding the leadership's handling of the massacre and its aftermath.

Eyal Zamir, the new IDF Chief of Staff, replaced Halevi at the ceremony, marking a significant shift in Israel’s military leadership. Prime Minister Netanyahu, who led the ceremony, acknowledged the leadership transition, describing Zamir’s rise as the "time of Zamir," praising his past military work, and his ability to bridge defense and political gaps.

Halevi, while lauding the IDF’s operations, also made pointed remarks regarding the mishandling of Israeli hostages, urging that everything must be done to bring them back home. He highlighted the critical importance of retrieving the 59 hostages, 22 of whom remain alive in enemy territory.

Further, Halevi took the opportunity to voice his frustration with the government’s treatment of the haredi community, advocating for their inclusion in the national army to relieve the mounting pressure on the reservist army.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, in his speech, focused on Israel’s resilience and its ability to counter any attacks despite the October 7 tragedy. He promised to secure the return of all hostages and end Hamas's reign. Netanyahu also addressed his relationship with Zamir, describing him as highly capable and instrumental in helping Israel’s defense independence.

The ceremony was attended by top Israeli defense officials, including Mossad Director David Barnea and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, as well as CENTCOM chief Michael Kurilla.

The remarks made by Halevi and Netanyahu come amid ongoing political controversy over the October 7 attacks. In recent days, Shin Bet’s investigation results into the massacre have sparked a debate, with accusations flying between political leaders, including former National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has criticized both Shin Bet’s leadership and Netanyahu’s approach to Hamas.

The debate over the handling of the attack and the responses from Israel's leadership continues to intensify, with various political figures calling for accountability and action. Opposition leaders like Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz have sharply criticized Netanyahu for his responses to the investigation and have called for an apology and the establishment of a state commission of inquiry.