In a significant development, General Aharon Haliva, the head of the IDF Intelligence Corps, addressed intelligence officers expected to be deployed in various operational naval forces in the coming days. He openly admitted his part in the major failure of the October 7 attack, shedding light on the gravity of the situation.

"Over three weeks have passed since that fateful Sabbath, the holiday of Simchat Torah, on the seventh of October when Hamas launched a murderous, cruel, and criminal terrorist attack on the State of Israel," General Haliva began his address. "The Intelligence Corps, under my command, regrettably failed in its most vital mission - providing early warning for this conflict. As the head of this organization, I bear the ultimate responsibility for this failure, as I emphasized from the very first day of the war."

מדברי ראש אגף המודיעין, אלוף אהרון חליוה, בטקס סיום קציני מודיעין:

אמ"ן תחת פיקודי כשל, ולא עמד במשימה החשובה ביותר שלו - מתן התרעה למלחמה. כעומד בראש הארגון, אני הוא הנושא באחריות העליונה לכך, כפי שהדגשתי החל מיומה הראשון של המלחמה pic.twitter.com/eAUzNnNV5y

— 🟢or keren (@Wq0oQJmUSfZunt5) November 1, 2023

Addressing the complexities of the battlefield, General Haliva underscored the multifaceted challenges Israel faces. "We confront adversaries from the north and east, both near and far. IDF personnel across all formations - be it in collection, research, operations, or headquarters, in the field, complexes, or bases - are pivotal partners in this ongoing campaign, dedicated to both defense and offense."

Towards the end of a harrowing day marked by more than ten casualties during combat operations in the Gaza Strip, General Haliva elucidated the war's overarching purpose: "This is a war of necessity, not of choice. It may not be an existential threat to the State of Israel, but it unquestionably threatens our way of life here. It endangers our daily routines, our kindergartens, schools, and the ability of our children and grandchildren to live in our homeland with security, peace, and a future filled with choices. To all IDF personnel working tirelessly, day and night, across all borders and arenas, know this - I stand firmly behind you. I have unwavering support for your mission. We have no alternative IDF, and there is no substitute for Israel."

רונן בר ראש השב"כ
אהרון חליווה ראש אמ"ן
איפה היה הראש שלכם במאי 2022?
אתם מבינים שהכתובת היתה על הקיר ואתם נרדמתם בשמירה על עם ישראל?
על מה שילמנו לכם משכורות שנים?
בעבור שואה?
מקומכם בכלא!!! pic.twitter.com/LAogsIgDxd

— MOSHE YIFRAH "צבא העם" ! (@MosheYifrah) October 23, 2023

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the nation, acknowledging the difficult and protracted nature of the conflict. He expressed condolences for the fallen IDF soldiers and their families, recognizing the immense sacrifice made for the nation's security. "Each of our soldiers is a world unto themselves," he said. "The entire nation of Israel embraces you, the bereaved families, during this time of profound sorrow. Our soldiers have perished in a battle that should never have been necessary, a battle for our homes. I promise the citizens of Israel that we will see this through - we will persist until we achieve victory."