IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz Resigns

Thanks for drawing this matter out longer than necessary. Halutz had previously stated that he would resign if asked, but wouldn't quit on his own. That was a few weeks ago. Well, he's finally done the right thing and resigned.

An earthquake in the military and political echelons: IDF Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz resigned Tuesday night. He reported his resignation to Defense Minister Amir Peretz and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

He intended to report his resignation to the IDF general staff Wednesday morning, but, from fear of leaks, decided to issue a public statement Wednesday, slightly after midnight.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed deep sorrow over the decision. Olmert, who knew beforehand that Halutz was going to resign, asked him to reconsider, but according to the PM's Office, Halutz's decision was decisive and as such, Olmert has no choice but to accept it.

Since the end of the second Lebanon war, many voices called for the Chief of General Staff to leave his post. Among them were senior politicians and a movement of reservists.

The sword of the Winograd commission, which was investigating the war, was also swinging over Halutz's head, although he did not wait for them to issue their intermediate report before resigning.

Halutz's handling of the Lebanon conflict, along with the ongoing situation in Gaza are a primary reason for the dissatisfaction with Halutz. Instead of decisive leadership, his leadership appeared to be tentative and reluctant to commit mass forces to eliminating Hizbullah's rocket threat.

The lingering question is who will assume the position as Israel's top leader and what other findings will the Winograd Commission will make when it issues its final report on the military's conduct in the war.

UPDATE:
Lots of reaction to Halutz's resignation, which generally seems to be along the lines of "what took so damned long?" Among those commenting: Yoni the Blogger thinks Gabi Ashkenazi should become the next Chief of Staff, Carl in Jerusalem, and cross posted here, thinks that this is the first to fall and that other members of the Cabinet will follow.