IDF dismisses Gaza Division intelligence officer over October 7 command failures

The Israeli Defense Forces concluded that Lt. Col. A., who served as the Gaza Division’s intelligence officer on October 7, would be removed from service, as ordered by Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa, head of the Personnel Directorate. This action follows a 2025 decision by Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir that several senior commanders held command responsibility for the October 7 attacks, prompting a recommendation from the Deputy Chief of Staff to terminate the officer’s contract.

Lt. Col. A. filed legal challenges, but a court in March 2026 barred the advisory committee from convening and later affirmed the legality of the termination process, noting no violation of his rights. The court’s ruling allowed the IDF to resume administrative proceedings, which considered the Deputy Chief’s opinion, investigative findings, and professional assessments of the officer’s performance. After the committee completed its review, the Personnel Directorate head issued the final dismissal order, which the officer may contest before the Chief of Staff.