Will IDF chief Herzi Halevi resign? Initial probe findings into Oct 7 Hamas attack spark speculation

After Defence Minister Yisrael Katz's stern direction, senior officers submitted the initial findings of the internal probe conducted into the functioning of the top IDF officials on the night of October 6-7 last year. The report has been submitted to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Herzi Halevi. 

The Hamas militants invaded Israel and took many people hostage on October 7. The October 7 Hamas attack has been seen as a huge security lapse on the part of the IDF. 

Each senior official will present their findings to Halevi, and the details will be cross-referenced to reach conclusions. 

The investigation is likely to take a few weeks and is unlikely to be presented to the public anytime soon. 

Earlier Katz had given the ultimatum that the October 7 disaster probes must be finished by the end of January 2025. The defence minister will decide when to present the report to the wider public after reviewing it. 

Reportedly, Katz has threatened Halevi that he would freeze all potential high-command appointments until he receives the probe results. 

Recently multiple mid-level appointments were blocked by Katz saying that the officers in question could not be promoted until their role in the October 7 attack is known. 

Will Halevi resign when the October 7 probes are published?

Halevi has said repeatedly that he is likely to resign around when the October 7 probes are published. 

Earlier, Halevi had set a date for finishing the probes in February. 

Publishing the October 7 probes could also give Netanyahu another major reason to attack the IDF in the public sphere. 

Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein also supported Katz in publicising the probes.