The October 7 attacks in 2023, orchestrated by Hamas, have been officially classified by an Israeli Defense Force (IDF) inquiry as “one of the greatest failures” in the nation’s military history.
Thousands of Hamas militants infiltrated southern Israel, killing 1,320 Israelis and taking 251 hostages in one of the deadliest assaults on the country in recent memory.
Investigating the Scale of the Failure
The internal IDF investigation, which has been described as exhaustive, claims that Israel’s security systems were completely unprepared for the attack, despite months, even years, of planning by Hamas.
The report calls the failure a “complete breakdown” of Israel’s military and security, admitting that the IDF was caught off guard with insufficient troops stationed at key points along the border.
According to the findings, Hamas fighters broke into Israel in three waves, with around 5,600 militants crossing into the country.
The majority of the attacks, including killings and kidnappings, took place during the first two waves in the early hours of the morning.
By the time the third wave occurred, the attackers had joined forces with other civilians, creating chaos as the IDF struggled to regain control.
Struggles in the Face of an Unprecedented Attack
The IDF’s inability to respond swiftly is underscored by the fact that its officers were forced to use Google Maps and mobile phones to communicate in an effort to coordinate their efforts.
The Israeli Air Force, in particular, admitted difficulty in distinguishing between Hamas militants and Israeli civilians, leading to tragic instances of friendly fire.
Despite attempts to regain control, Hamas militants continued to spread out across southern Israel, with plans to advance towards the city of Ashkelon, located just 12 miles from the Gaza Strip.
As the situation worsened, the IDF struggled to contain the chaos.
Misjudgments and Intelligence Failures
The report points to a series of critical misjudgments by Israeli intelligence in the years leading up to the attacks.
Despite signs of unusual activity in Gaza, including the activation of Israeli SIM cards, the IDF failed to see the threat as imminent.
Instead, it was considered a non-urgent issue, and the military dismissed several signs as potential “training exercises.”
The IDF’s strategic focus at the time was primarily on Iran and Hezbollah, with Gaza being seen as a secondary threat.
The government had placed significant resources in monitoring the Lebanon border, and many believed that an expensive subterranean wall surrounding Gaza would be enough to prevent large-scale attacks.
A Deceptive Campaign by Hamas
The inquiry reveals that Hamas began planning the attack as far back as 2016, and formal approval for the operation came in 2019.
The group made several attempts to launch similar strikes in 2022 but held back.
The timing of the October 7 assault was strategically chosen to coincide with a Jewish religious holiday, knowing it would create the perfect opportunity for a devastating surprise attack.
In the years leading up to the assault, Hamas conducted a mass deception campaign, presenting itself as more focused on economic growth than conflict.
This strategy effectively lulled Israeli officials into a false sense of security.
Government Response and Controversy
As the investigation continues, the IDF is preparing to release findings related to specific attacks on kibbutzim, military bases, and other key locations.
However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has rejected calls for a State Commission of Inquiry, citing the ongoing war.
Critics accuse Netanyahu of trying to avoid responsibility for the failure of Israel’s military response during the October 7 attacks.
The hostages taken during the attack remain a source of ongoing concern.
It is believed that 66 hostages are still in Gaza, with about half of them thought to be alive.
Meanwhile, Israel’s military response has led to significant casualties on both sides, with over 48,000 Palestinians reported dead as a result of the conflict.
This internal investigation has shed new light on Israel’s critical mistakes during the October 7 attacks and raised questions about the future of Israel’s military strategy and security measures.