I Am Leaving An Army In Which The Concept Of Responsibility Has Been Trampled And Desecrated –Aloni

According to a report by The Times Of Israel, in his farewell address, Maj. Gen. Nimrod Aloni, who is stepping down after nearly 34 years of military service, delivered a sharp rebuke of the Israel Defense Forces, accusing its leadership of shirking accountability for failures surrounding the October 7, 2023, attacks and subsequent developments.

Aloni most recently oversaw the IDF’s Military Colleges and the covert Depth Corps, both of which are now under new leadership. Maj. Gen. Dan Goldfus has been appointed to head the Depth Corps, while Maj. Gen. Dan Noyman assumed command of the Military Colleges last month.

Speaking at the official handover ceremony, Aloni expressed frustration over what he described as a troubling erosion of responsibility within the military. “I am leaving an army in which the concept of responsibility has been trampled and desecrated, and which has lost the confidence to put its failures on the table,” he said.

Reflecting on Israel’s broader strategic approach, Aloni acknowledged miscalculations in handling threats from multiple fronts. “Two years ago, we tried to contain our enemies from south and north, thinking that time would do us good, for the economy and growth, and that we could preserve the status quo over time. We were wrong, all of us,” he added.

Notably, Aloni made no reference to his own past role as commander of the Gaza Division from 2020 to 2022, a position he held just a year before the October 7 assault. His omission drew attention, given the significance of that post in relation to the events that unfolded.

The Depth Corps, which Aloni helped lead, was recently reorganized to focus on operations beyond Israel’s immediate borders. The restructuring places emphasis on countering Iran’s regional proxies operating in Yemen, Iraq, and other locations described as part of the “second circle.” This change reflects the IDF’s recognition of wider regional threats amid an ongoing multifront conflict.

At the same ceremony, Goldfus underlined the urgency of the Corps’ new mission. “The transformation of the Depth Corps is not the result of an organizational initiative or distant vision, but rather a matter of urgency,” he said, emphasizing that the shift is driven by the current security environment.

Aloni’s speech highlighted deep frustrations within the military regarding responsibility and preparedness. His candid remarks leave behind a legacy of criticism that could shape debates about accountability and strategy as the IDF continues to confront escalating regional challenges.