An investigation into the failings of the Israeli military in the lead-up to the devastating Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, has highlighted gaps in intelligence gathering, flawed assumptions about Hamas, and “systemic” failures in the Israel Defense Force’s preparedness and response.
The 19-page report released by the IDF pointed out gaps in the Intelligence Directorate’s understanding of Hamas’ strategic goals, decision-making processes, and operational plans that contributed to its failure to prevent the attack, where gunmen killed more than 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages.
Despite having relevant information, the intelligence community failed to recognize Hamas’ shift from a “determined” and “pragmatic” group to one actively planning a large-scale offensive, the report stated.
As early as 2016, Hamas had begun preparing for “a large-scale attack” aimed at breaching the Gaza border, “occupying Israeli territory,” and causing mass casualties, the report revealed.
The report identified instances where intelligence indicators, such as Hamas’ training exercises and operational plans, were misinterpreted or dismissed as unrealistic, which could have revealed Hamas’ intentions if properly analyzed.
Hamas had created a false perception of seeking quiet while accelerating its military buildup, with plans to carry out an attack during a Jewish holiday to shatter Israel’s sense of security and potentially escalate into an all-out war aimed at destroying Israel.
When the attack occurred, the IDF was caught off guard by its scale and intensity, leading to a collapse in command and control as the Gaza Division responsible for defending the border was overrun within hours.
The IDF’s response was hindered by a lack of situational awareness, delayed force mobilization, and insufficient deployment of troops and firepower, the inquiry found, stating that the IDF’s readiness levels were inadequate for the scale of the attack.
Israeli military chief of staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi addressed the findings in a televised speech, acknowledging the military’s failures and taking responsibility for the lapses.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief of staff Tzachi Braverman mentioned that Netanyahu had yet to receive the investigation report.
