TEL AVIV, Israel — The Israeli military’s recent investigation into the deadly assault by Hamas on October 7, 2023, has revealed that the formidable Israeli defense forces severely misjudged the militant group’s intent and underestimated their strength. This attack stands as the most lethal in Israel’s history and has triggered a war in Gaza.
The report’s publication on Thursday may intensify pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to undertake a comprehensive inquiry into the political decisions that laid the groundwork for the attack.
There is widespread sentiment among Israelis that the failures of October 7 extend beyond military oversight, pinning blame on Netanyahu for his perceived flawed strategy of deterrence and containment against Hamas. His approach included allowing financial aid in the form of Qatari cash into Gaza while isolating the Palestinian Authority.
Despite this criticism and demands for accountability from families of the 1,200 Israelis killed and over 250 taken hostage, Netanyahu has maintained his position of withholding any detailed explanations until the war’s conclusion, which has been temporarily halted due to a ceasefire lasting nearly six weeks.
The military outlined that it underestimated Hamas’s capabilities, mistakenly viewing the group as focused on governance rather than conflict. Miscalculations were evident as the army anticipated a potential ground invasion from a maximum of eight border points, whereas Hamas undertook the attack using over 60 different routes. Additionally, the report highlighted intelligence gaps that failed to detect Hamas’s preparation and postponed plans for similar offensives multiple times prior to the attack.
Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Israel’s army chief of staff, who is stepping down next week, assumed responsibility for the military’s shortcomings, acknowledging both his personal accountability and the collective failures of his command.
The attack commenced with a barrage of rockets launched by Hamas, enabling a large contingent of fighters to breach the security fence, penetrating Israeli territory using various methods, including gliders. These forces dismantled surveillance infrastructure and quickly overpowered the stationed soldiers. Their advance continued unimpeded as they targeted highways and disrupted military command structures, causing significant disintegration of defense lines.
In the first critical hours post-attack, Hamas fighters infiltrated border communities and disrupted a music festival, leading to the capture of most hostages and culminating in numerous fatalities. The military’s regaining of control spanned several days, underscoring the urgent need for quicker response strategies.
The report also encouraged reforms within the military, advocating for the establishment of dedicated units to handle unexpected large-scale threats. Furthermore, it recommended enhancements within the military intelligence division to foster a culture of openness and adaptability, essential for countering future threats.
While the report did not specifically assign blame to individual military personnel, it is expected to catalyze a reevaluation within the ranks and might result in further resignations or dismissals beyond that of Halevi and other senior officers.
