The lawyer for Lt. Col. A., the Gaza Division intelligence officer formally dismissed by the IDF earlier Thursday for his role on October 7, 2023, said the advisory committee to the head of the Personnel Directorate had agreed to convey its recommendations to the defense before the final decision — but the officer's representatives learned of the outcome through the media, according to i24NEWS. The officer is now considering an appeal to Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.
The Gaza Division intelligence officer dismissed Thursday evening learned of the decision through media reports despite prior assurances from the advisory committee that its recommendations would be shared with his defense first, his attorney said. Lt. Col. A. is now weighing an appeal to Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Thursday (19:05), the head of the IDF Personnel Directorate approved the officer's formal release after the Administrative Court rejected his petition on June 30 and a committee recommended termination. The officer's attorney, Reserve Col. Avi Amiram of the military defense office, told i24NEWS that the advisory committee had indicated it would convey its recommendations to the defense, but the officer's representatives learned of the outcome through press reports.
The dismissal is part of the IDF's years-long accountability process following the intelligence failures that enabled the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Lt. Col. A. served as the Gaza Division intelligence officer during the invasion and had challenged his removal in court.
Lt. Col. A. will review the formal decision before deciding whether to appeal to the Chief of Staff. The possibility of an appeal remains open.
4 developments
- DevelopingGaza Division intel officer at Oct 7 massacre petitions against IDF dismissal
- StrongCourt rejects Gaza Division intel officer's petition, clearing way for dismissal
- DevelopingChief of Staff Decides Not to Revoke Dismissed Officer's Benefits, Sparking Criticism
- DevelopingBereaved father Eyal Ashel questions why Gaza Division intel officer — whom he says knew more than Halevi — still serves
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