ISRAEL’S top general resigned today, citing the security and intelligence failures related to Hamas’s surprise attack some 15 months ago.

This comes as Israel launched a massive military attack in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on Tuesday that the Palestinian Health Ministry said had killed at least six people and wounded 35.

Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi is the most senior Israeli figure to resign over the security breakdown on October 7 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led militants carried out a land, sea and air assault into southern Israel, rampaging through army bases and nearby communities for hours.

The attack killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted another 250. More than 90 captives are still being held in Gaza, around a third of whom are believed to be dead.

In his letter of resignation, which will come into effect on March 6, Gen Halevi said the military under his command had “failed in its mission to defend the state of Israel.”

Israel had earlier announced a “significant and broad military operation” against Palestinian militants in Jenin.

The city has seen repeated Israeli incursions and gun battles with militants in recent years, well before the October 7 attack.

The latest operation came just days into a fragile ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza that is supposed to last for six weeks.

The ceasefire does not apply to the West Bank, which has seen a surge of violence by settlers and Israeli forces. 

Jewish settlers went on the rampage in two Palestinian villages overnight on Monday.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said its medical teams treated those injured by the settlers in Jinsafut and Fanduq, adding that the victims suffered bruises as they were beaten by the settlers.

Yesh Din, which monitors human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, shared video clips showing Palestinian-owned vehicles and a building in flames from earlier settler attacks.

Hamas condemned the Israeli operation in Jenin, calling on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank to step up their own attacks.

Palestinian politician Hanan Ashwari said: “All eyes on the West Bank. Israeli settlers are on the rampage torching vehicles and homes in two towns east of Qalqilia and threatening Palestinians throughout the West Bank in revenge for the release of prisoners.”

The Islamic Jihad resistance group also condemned the operation, saying it reflected Israel’s “failure to achieve its goals in Gaza.”