Former Gaza Division Commander Blames Military Leadership for October 7 Failures
Reserve Brig. Gen. Oren Solomon criticized former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi following the Supreme Court's decision to name Gaza Division intelligence officer Lt. Col. Arie Amidaror.
Following the Supreme Court's decision to lift a publication ban on the name of the Gaza Division's intelligence officer on October 7, Lt. Col. Arie Amidaror, reserve Brig. Gen. Oren Solomon has launched a scathing critique of former IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi. Solomon, who served as the Gaza Division's combat commander on October 7, accused military leadership of fostering a culture of promotion based on institutional protection rather than accountability.
Accountability and Intelligence Failures
"Commanders lied and advanced. Former Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi promoted officers as part of a 'scratch my back and I'll promote you' culture," Solomon stated. He argued that while the Gaza Division holds responsibility, blaming the division entirely is a deliberate maneuver by the General Staff and Halevi to deflect systemic failures away from military intelligence and the Southern Command.
Solomon emphasized that strategic early warning is the primary responsibility of the Intelligence Directorate (Aman) and the Southern Command, along with dozens of senior intelligence officers across various units including Unit 8200, the Air Force, and the Navy. Many of these officials, according to Solomon, were rapidly promoted despite profound systemic failures.
Investigation and Controversy
In addition to his combat duties during the October 7 onslaught, Solomon headed the division's internal war investigation team. His outspoken criticism follows a turbulent period that included a criminal investigation into allegations that he removed classified documents from division computers, a claim Solomon and his supporters have contested.
"The truth will come out regarding the heavy disaster, and I will act in this mission to fix the roots of the failure and bring victory," Solomon declared.
Response from military circles was swift. A senior former officer dismissed Solomon's remarks, asserting that his behavior and refusal to accept responsibility disgraced the uniform and the military institution.
