Middle East updates: Israel's intel chief quits over October 7 Hamas attack

The head of Israel's military intelligence has requested termination of his position, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Monday.

"Major General Aharon Haliva, in coordination with the chief of the general staff, has requested to end his position, following his leadership responsibility as the head of the intelligence directorate for the events of October 7," the military said in a statement.

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In coordination with the Chief of the General Staff, the Head of the Intelligence Directorate, MG Aharon Haliva, has requested to end his position, following his leadership responsibility as the Head of the Intelligence Directorate for the events of October 7.

The Chief of the…

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 22, 2024 >

Haliva was head of the intelligence corps during the October 7 terror attacks.

Last year, Haliva said he accepted responsibility for the intelligence failures that allowed the Hamas-led attacks to take place. He is the most senior official to step down because of the attacks.

Around 1,200 people were killed when Hamas launched a large-scale terror attack on southern Israel. Some 250 people were taken hostage.

Rockets fired at US-led coalition base in Syria from Iraq — reports

Rockets have been fired from northern Iraq at US military base in northeast Syria, according to news agencies citing Iraqi security forces and a US official.

"No US personnel were injured," AFP news agency reported, quoting a statement from Iraqi security forces.

Iraqi forces said they had launched a search operation in the northern Nineveh province and found the vehicle used in the attack.

The statement from Iraqi security forces accused "outlaw elements of having targeted a base of the international coalition with rockets in the heart of Syrian territory," at around 9:50 pm (1850 GMT).

Iraqi armed faction Kataib Hezbollah meanwhile denied issuing a statement saying it had resumed attacks on US forces. The group said it was "fabricated news" after a post circulated on groups thought to be affiliated with the Iran-backed faction.

Sunday's attack comes amid heightened regional tensions following Iran's barrage attack on Israel involving drones and missiles earlier this month.

Jews mark Passover with empty chairs for hostages

As Jewish people mark the start of Passover on Monday, many Jewish households in Israel and around the world are displaying empty chairs symbolizing the hostages still held by Hamas militants in Gaza.

The weeklong Jewish festival, also known in Hebrew as the "holiday of freedom," celebrates the Israelites' liberation from Egyptian slavery, as told in the Bible.

Passover is traditionally observed with a seder — a holiday feast when families eat symbolic foods and read traditional Jewish texts 

On October 7, Hamas militants killed around 1,200 people and took some 250 people hostage.

Around 100 hostages, many but not all of them Israelis, were released during a one-week truce in November in exchange for Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli jails.

Israel has said it believes some 130 hostages are still being held in Gaza, but that nearly a quarter have died.

Health authorities in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip have said Israel's retaliatory invasion has killed over 34,000 people, mostly women and children.