Retired General Accuses Ex-IDF Chief of Staff of Cover-Up

Retired Brigadier General Oren Solomon has publicly accused former IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi of orchestrating a cover-up following the October 7th Hamas attacks, specifically regarding the role of the Gaza Division. Solomon, who served as the Gaza Division's combat commander on October 7th and led its war investigation team, claims that the military leadership, particularly Kochavi, attempted from the outset to place the primary responsibility for the security failures on the Gaza Division.

Solomon stated that while the Gaza Division's intelligence officer bears some responsibility, the "disaster of October 7th was the result of a war." He asserted that the Intelligence Directorate and the Southern Command are responsible for providing early warnings of war, and the Gaza Division's role in this regard was "very small."

He further alleged that at least 20 senior intelligence officers involved in research and warnings about Hamas, from various units including Research, 8200, Operations, Southern Command, and the Air Force, have not been held accountable. Solomon claimed that some of these officers, whom he did not name, were promoted rapidly by Kochavi under a system he described as "protect me and I'll promote you."

Solomon made these remarks after his name was revealed in connection with the investigation into the Gaza Division's role on October 7th. He also visited the Nova music festival site in Re'im and publicly criticized the IDF and senior leadership. He recounted a meeting with Kochavi where he claimed the IDF was covering up investigations and that the Nova investigation would not provide the public with the truth. Solomon believes that officers seeking to reveal the truth are being harmed by the system, eroding public and command trust.