Shin Bet chief signals he will resign after all Israeli hostages are released

The head of the Israeli intelligence agency Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), indicated on Tuesday that he intends to resign from his post but only after securing the release of the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

"As soon as I see this happening, I will want to pass the baton to one of my two excellent deputies," Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, said according to a report by the Israeli news outlet N12.

Hamas terrorists and their allies forced kidnapped 251 hostages from southern Israeli border communities and the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023. To date, 197 living and deceased hostages have been returned home.

The vast majority of the living hostages were returned as a result of the internationally brokered hostage Gaza agreement between Hamas and Israel.

"I am not satisfied with the return of 197 hostages; I am still looking at the 59 who remain there," Bar argued. 

Like the Israeli military, the Shin Bet has conducted its own probe concerning the intelligence and military failures to prevent the Oct. 7 massacre and kidnappings. The agency was set to present the results of its investigation on Tuesday. 

Bar has reportedly also been pushing for a state investigation committee to probe the Oct. 7 attack in further detail.

On Monday, the October Council, which represents some 1,500 Israelis killed or kidnapped during the Oct. 7 massacre, demanded that the government immediately form a state commission that would thoroughly probe the failure of Israel’s political, military and intelligence leaders to prevent the largest single day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. 

“We, the families of the hostages, demand that the Israeli government immediately establish a state commission of inquiry to thoroughly and comprehensively investigate with full transparency, including the management of the negotiations for the return of our loved ones,” the families announced in a joint statement. 

“Only a state commission of inquiry can provide us with answers, offer some solace to our souls, and prevent the next disaster. The failure to establish such a commission and draw lessons would mean harming the security of the state,” the families added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has so far been reluctant to establish a state commission before the war against Hamas is concluded. However, on Monday, Netanyahu indicated that he supports the eventual establishment of such a committee as long as it is apolitical, objective and professional without elaborating. 

Last month, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi announced his resignation from the military, which will take effect on March 6. 

“On the morning of October 7, under my command, the IDF failed in its mission to protect Israel’s citizens. The State of Israel paid a heavy and painful price – in lives lost, in hostages taken, and in those wounded both physically and emotionally,” Halevi stated. 

“My responsibility for this terrible failure accompanies me every day, every hour, and will remain with me for the rest of my life,” the outgoing IDF chief added.

Several top IDF officials have already resigned from their posts after the Oct. 7 attack. In June 2024, the IDF Gaza Division commander, Brig.-Gen. Avi Rosenfeld announced his resignation from the military. 

“On October 7, I failed in my life's mission to defend the [Gaza] envelope,” Rosenfeld wrote in his resignation letter.