JERUSALEM 

The resignation of the Israeli military's intelligence chief this week could create a “domino effect” in which Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and other senior officers will step down, a local newspaper said Tuesday

Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva, the head of the Israeli army's Military Intelligence Directorate, resigned early Monday over his failure to predict last October’s attack on Israel by the Palestinian group Hamas.

"The domino effect of the resignation of the head of military intelligence may soon occur, including the Chief of Staff as well,'' the Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported.

It noted that Haliva is "the first member of the General Staff to retire due to the intelligence failure of Oct. 7, but it seems he will not be the last among the senior officers."

It noted that "other senior officers, including at least four brigadier generals among the field unit commanders, have informed close associates of their intention to resign."

The daily pointed out that Gaza Division Commander Brig. Gen. Avi Rosenfeld may retire soon as part of taking responsibility.

"The problem with officers who intended to resign is the timing, but the operational end of the war in Gaza in recent weeks, with the withdrawal of most forces from the strip and Haliva's retirement may make the decision closer,” it said.

"However, the army is still expected to carry out a ground operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip or Deir al-Balah and Nuseirat in the center,'' the daily added.

Israel has waged a sweeping offensive on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7 which killed around 1,200 people.

At least 34,183 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and 77,000 have been injured amid mass destruction and severe shortages of necessities.

The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement as acute shortages of food plunge Gaza into famine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul