Ronen Bar, head of Israel's Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency, has resigned from his post, effective June 15, 2025, citing personal responsibility for the agency's failure to prevent the deadly Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.
Bar's departure comes after months of political turmoil and legal wrangling with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who attempted to dismiss the security chief earlier this year.
That move was blocked by Israel's Supreme Court, which ruled the government lacked lawful grounds for a unilateral dismissal amid ongoing wartime conditions.
In his resignation letter, Bar said he bore "personal and professional responsibility" for the intelligence failure that preceded the Hamas assault, which killed over 1,100 Israelis and triggered a war in Gaza that continues to reverberate politically and militarily.
Related News:
Trump says he, Putin agree 'war in Israel-Iran should end'
Opinion | Why are Israel and Iran at war again? A deep dive into latest Middle East crisis
Comment