Israeli Intelligence Chief Resigns Over October 7 Attack Failures

Brigadier General Yossi Sariel steps down, citing personal responsibility for Unit 8200's inability to prevent the deadly Hamas assault.

Brigadier General Yossi Sariel, head of Israel's elite Unit 8200, announced his resignation following criticism over the failure to prevent the October 7 Hamas attack.
Sariel's resignation letter expressed regret for not fulfilling the mission and acknowledged his personal responsibility for the intelligence and operational shortcomings.
Unit 8200 had previously circulated intelligence reports warning of Hamas's plans, but these did not alter fundamental Israeli assumptions about the threat.
The October 7 assault resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages, marking one of the most significant intelligence failures in Israeli history.
Sariel's resignation follows that of other top Israeli defense officials, including Major General Aharon Haliva, who also stepped down over the same intelligence lapses.