The recent report by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) concerning the October 7 Hamas terror attacks in southern Israel has evoked a myriad of emotions among the Israeli populace. Its findings, while not entirely groundbreaking, build upon the emotional backdrop of the stressful months during which over 30 hostages were returned alive, and eight more returned in coffins, adding depth to the already turbulent period.
The initial phase of the ceasefire and hostage release agreement has concluded, albeit with the succeeding phase shrouded in ambiguity; 59 abducted soldiers and civilian hostages remain in Gaza, with 24 believed to be alive. Following the report’s release, Israeli media conveyed widespread criticism, with Yedioth Ahronoth running the headline “The blindness, the failure, the questions,” and Israel Hayom dubbing it as “A debacle, years in the making,” emphasizing the intelligence community’s significant underestimation of Hamas.
The hostile takeover of Gaza by Hamas in 2007 marked a pivotal shift, prompting Israel to further tighten its grip on the enclave’s borders. The report underscores the military’s intelligence failure, showing a relentless underestimation of Hamas’s capabilities over the years, which had been encapsulating its preparation for a grand assault. It critiques how the policy of “conflict management” and a misplaced trust in advanced surveillance technologies led to a state of complacency, blind to Hamas’s intentions.
Key figures, including Ofer Shelah and Tamir Hayman, have called for a broader investigation to uncover not just what happened but why, with questions lingering about the political echelons’ role. The report highlights Hamas’s meticulous planning, tracing its inception back to post-2014 war discussions. Despite Israel’s perceived success in the 2021 conflict, it inadvertently spurred Hamas, which capitalized on regional support without incurring a major IDF retaliation, illuminating a grim disconnect in strategy and evaluation.
Public sentiment leans heavily towards a comprehensive inquiry, with only a small percentage deeming the military’s report sufficient. Despite the resignation of IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sidestepped direct responsibility, opting to postpone a full investigation until after the conflict’s resolution. The situation calls for the acknowledgment and addressing of systemic failures to prevent future occurrences and rebuild trust within the community.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/outrage-as-idf-admits-failures-over-hamas-october-7-attack/a-71803612?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
