IDF chief meets female soldiers released from Hamas captivity, apologizes for failing them before and on Oct 7

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi on Friday met with female IDF surveillance soldiers Naama Levy, Agam Berger, Liri Albag, and Karina Ariev who were released in January after 477 days in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip.

The surveillance soldiers are described in Israel as “the eyes of the army” as they provide critical real-time intelligence. The five women were kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists invaded and attacked their military observation base Nahal Oz, near the Gaza Strip.

Halevi apologized to the soldiers for failing them during the unprecedented Hamas invasion and brutal attack that resulted in 1,200 murdered and at least 250 hostages being abducted into Gaza.

“From me personally and in the name of the commanders in the IDF, I am very sorry for everything you have been through, it’s our responsibility, and we can’t go back and change. We are very focused on learning so that this will not recur,” Halevi stated.

Fifty-two IDF soldiers, including 15 surveillance soldiers, were killed by Hamas terrorists at the Nahal Oz base during the Oct. 7 attack.

“From what you have told me now, I understand that you, with superior heroism, have dealt with unimaginable difficulty, both during captivity and in the way you were during the release,” the IDF chief continued.

Halevi also apologized for the Israeli military establishment largely ignoring pre-Oct. 7 warnings from the surveillance soldiers, who reported irregular movements and exercises by Hamas operatives close to the Israeli borders.

“It was wrong to have not taken you seriously, you were amazing soldiers, I apologize for what you experienced in captivity,” Halevi stated. Many of the female surveillance soldiers believe their warnings were ignored partly because of their gender.

The IDF chief continued by stressing that the Israeli military worked hard to bring back every hostage held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

“I want you to know that the entire IDF worked very hard to bring back the hostages, to return you, it continues to work. Soldiers dreamed of freeing you,” Halevi stated. “I know about the very high-quality work of the surveillance soldiers, even those who are unfortunately not with us, who did outstanding work.”

The IDF chief also vowed that the Israeli military would investigate its mistakes on Oct. 7, 2023, and learn from them.

“In the investigations, we looked into the effect of your work on what happened, and there are things we learned that should change,” Halevi pledged.

In January, Halevi announced that he would resign as the head of the IDF, citing the military's failures related to the events of Oct. 7. His resignation reflects accountability for the missteps in intelligence, preparedness, and response, which led to widespread criticism.

“My responsibility for this terrible failure accompanies me every day, every hour, and will remain with me for the rest of my life,” Halevi stated. The outgoing IDF chief stressed that the IDF’s military achievements after the attack “first and foremost, belong to the IDF’s commanders and soldiers – my subordinates.”

Halevi will officially resign from his IDF post on March 5. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz recently announced that Maj.-Gen. Eyal Zamir would replace Halevi as the next IDF chief.