Introduction

Israel’s Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi announced on 24 January 2025 that he would resign on 6 March, citing responsibility for the security failures of the 7 October attacks. Shortly afterward, the commander of the Southern Command, Yaron Finkelman, also declared his intent to resign for the same reason, though without specifying a date. While these resignations appear to be directly linked to the failures of 7 October, they also reflect a deeper rift between the government and the upper echelons of the Israeli military. This divide spans a range of issues, including the recently revived judicial overhaul, the Gaza war, and broader strategic objectives.