Former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi was recorded saying that he "complied" with Hamas for the deception it committed - which allowed it to carry out the massacre on October 7.
In recordings published by Shai Yisrael on Galei Tzahal, Halevi is heard saying: "I have no choice but to praise Hamas for the deception it has perpetrated on us. They have managed to lull us to sleep with the violations of order and humanitarian aid.".
In the recording, the failed Chief of Staff is heard saying: "In all the exercises we did and in all the discussions, we did not think that 5% percent of what happened could happen.".
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In Halevi's complete recordings, He also mentions the involvement of the IDF in the story, and the significant role of the IDF in falling for Hamas's deception: "The same people who contacted us, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories and the Gaza Directorate (= the IDF's Coordination and Liaison Directorate), to ask to take children with cancer for treatment in Israel, they also used this to lull us to sleep.".
We published at @sefiova and-@arik3000: Herzi Halevi recordings - "I have no choice but to praise Hamas for the deception it perpetrated on us. They managed to lull us to sleep with the violations of order and humanitarian aid. In all the exercises we did and in all the discussions we did not think that 5% percent of what happened could happen"" pic.twitter.com/rx6HF2YyNn
— Shai Israel (@ShaIsrael2) March 16, 2025
In his farewell speech, Halevi said: "On October 7, the IDF failed. There was a profound failure here, but it is not right that a failure of this magnitude will be investigated only in the IDF and the Shin Bet. The IDF is part of a national order of priorities, accepts policy and acts accordingly. Establishing a state investigation committee is necessary and vital - not to place blame, but first and foremost to get to the root of the problems and enable correction.".
Halevi emphasized his commitment to personal responsibility: "I see responsibility as a matter of values, not legal ones. Values are higher than laws. I have always felt my responsibility as an army commander, and especially on Simchat Torah Day. It is with me forever. The responsibility to the civilians, the commanders and soldiers who fought fiercely and did not return, to the people who waited for the IDF that did not arrive, to the wounded, to all the kidnapped.".
Halevi later addressed the Prime Minister: "The IDF has sometimes experienced a dismissive attitude. Before and during the war. It does not help us become better. It may damage the trust of subordinates in their commanders, undermine parents whose children are sacrificing their lives on the battlefield. The erosion in the IDF will not help motivation and selection for service over the years.".
He added implicit criticism of government members: "You don't have to be a fighter to express an opinion, but some of those who preach a lack of courage and determination - have never felt the cold edge of night in front of an enemy, have never heard the breathing of a wounded comrade on a stretcher being carried through hostile territory. IDF commanders are not heroes in retrospect, and do not choose to be part of a movement based on its success rate. We are responsible for good and bad.".
