Israeli Army chief says “fully responsible” for Oct 7 attack

Following the failed ceasefire talks in Cairo on the 4th-5th of May, the Israeli military continues to attack Gaza as we enter month 7 of the war. 

According to Asharq Al-Awsat plus agencies, on the 12th of May Israel’s army chief, Herzi Halevi stated that he was “fully responsible” for what happened on October 7th when Hamas launched its attack on Israel. 

The Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. 

“I am the commander who sent your sons and daughters into battle, from which they did not return, and to positions from which they were kidnapped,” he stated.

During the initial Hamas attack, some 250 Israelis and foreigners were kidnapped by militants and taken to Gaza. Israel estimates that 128 people are still being held captive, including 26, who the military says are dead. 

Halevi spoke of his remorse, saying “Every day, I feel this weight on my shoulders, and in my heart, I fully understand its significance.” 

While negotiating the ceasefire, Hamas stated on the 6th that it had accepted an Egyptian-Qatari mediated proposal, meanwhile, Israel insisted that the deal did not meet its core demands. 

READ: Gaza: Failed peace talks lead to Rafah border seizure

Israel’s conditions to reach a deal include that Hamas must free at least some of the around 130 hostages. An Israeli official singled on the 4th of May that its core position remains unchanged, stating that Israel would “under no circumstances” agree to a deal to end the war, under the context that Israel wants to dismantle Hamas for good. 

Israel’s retaliatory military campaign aimed at eliminating Hamas in Gaza has killed at least 35,000 people, most of them women and children. 

The war “will continue for many more months”, Halevi stated at a televised press conference. 

“There are no magic solutions, there are no shortcuts when it comes to thoroughly dismantling a terrorist organisation expert being stubborn and determined in the fighting,” he concluded. 

Hundreds of civilians in Gaza dying every day. Following the multiple failed peace talks between Hamas and the Israeli military and Halevi’s admittance of guilt, how many more months will it take for Israel to reach a ceasefire deal and how many more people will have to die until then? 

Asharq Al-Awsat/ agencies.