Bereaved Mother Confronts Former IDF Intelligence Chief Over Daughter's Death

A mother of a victim of the October 7th Hamas attacks confronted former head of IDF Military Intelligence, Aharon Haliva, during a chance encounter in Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park on Friday morning. Shelly Mesil Yogev, mother of Libi Cohen Guri, who was killed at the Nova music festival, shared her experience on Instagram.

Yogev described feeling paralyzed and overwhelmed upon seeing Haliva, whom she blames for her daughter's death. She recounted initiating a conversation by asking if he was enjoying the park, to which Haliva responded by asking who she was. Yogev then identified herself and her daughter, expressing her anger that Haliva, who lives nearby, had never contacted her family since Libi's murder.

She contrasted Haliva's perceived inaction with the actions of former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, who she said had reached out to offer condolences and support. "Where are you? Where were you? My daughter is buried because of you!" Yogev directly accused Haliva, stating he should feel ashamed and take responsibility.

Yogev further elaborated that Haliva should express his own suffering and acknowledge the pain he has caused, rather than offering to visit and cry with her. She emphasized that he needs to understand that his suffering should be comparable to hers, given his role and perceived failures leading to the events of October 7th.