Aharon Haliva
Israeli major general; head of the IDF Military Intelligence Directorate (Aman) from 2021 to August 2024
| Aharon Haliva
| |
|---|---|
| Image |  Aharon Haliva. Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit, CC BY-SA 3.0 |
| Nationality | Israeli |
| Occupation | Military officer; former head of Aman |
| Known for | Head of the Military Intelligence Directorate (5 October 2021–21 August 2024); took responsibility for the intelligence failure of 7 October 2023[1] |
| Predecessor | Tamir Hayman |
Aharon Haliva is an Israeli major general who headed the Israel Defense Forces' Military Intelligence Directorate (Aman) from 5 October 2021 to 21 August 2024.[2][1] He was among the senior Israeli commanders who said they had failed to foresee and prevent the Hamas-led attack of 7 October 2023.[1]
Head of military intelligence
Haliva took over from Tamir Hayman at a ceremony led by the then Chief of Staff, Aviv Kochavi. Kochavi said the directorate was “an asset to decision makers and senior commanders” and that operational plans against Iran's nuclear programme would continue to be developed.[2]
Resignation
Haliva announced his resignation in April 2024, after a 38-year military career. At the handover to Shlomi Binder on 21 August 2024 he said: “The failure of the intelligence corps was my fault”, and called for a national investigation into the reasons for the war.[1] The Jerusalem Post dated his announced resignation to 22 April 2024, and reported that he and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant believed Netanyahu's primary aim was to shift responsibility for 7 October on to the IDF.[3]
Later reporting
A review led by Maj.-Gen. (res.) Sami Turgeman, announced on 10 November 2025, criticised the army's handling of the “Walls of Jericho” documents on Hamas's invasion plan, seized in 2021–22, including a May 2022 meeting attended by Haliva as head of military intelligence, after which officers who moved on did not pass the issue to their successors, according to the Jerusalem Post.[4]
Offices held
| Office | Start | End | Predecessor | Successor | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head, Military Intelligence Directorate | 5 October 2021 | 21 August 2024 | Tamir Hayman | Shlomi Binder | [2][1] |
See also
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Jerusalem Post staff and Reuters, Intel. chief in retirement speech: I will have Oct. 7 on my conscience for rest of my life, The Jerusalem Post, 21 August 2024, accessed 7 November 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Israel Defense Forces, Major General Aharon Haliva Enters His Position as Head of the Intelligence Directorate, IDF Spokesperson, 5 October 2021, accessed 11 November 2026.
- ↑ Yonah Jeremy Bob, The controversy surrounding appointing new IDF intelligence chief Shlomi Binder - analysis, The Jerusalem Post, 7 May 2024, accessed 11 November 2026.
- ↑ Yonah Jeremy Bob, New IDF probe reveals failures in five Oct. 7 investigations, which need to be redone, The Jerusalem Post, 10 November 2025, accessed 11 November 2026.