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Friday, Mar 07, 2025
Outside the box.
IDF Acknowledges Significant Security Breach in October 7 Attacks by Hamas
An internal investigation reveals alarming security flaws and intelligence failures leading up to the unprecedented assault.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has characterized its failure to prevent the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas as a 'complete failure' of its border security and intelligence systems.
According to an internal investigation conducted by the IDF Southern Command, there was a complete absence of awareness or predictive capability regarding the impending attacks, which resulted in security forces being deployed to the minimum required for day-to-day threats.
The investigation report, encompassing approximately 40 pages, details critical missteps and acknowledges that the IDF did not fulfill its mandate to safeguard civilians, labeling the event as one of the most significant failures in the military's history.
The IDF further stated that its primary focus prior to the attacks was on threats posed by Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The inquiry revealed that these groups appeared to have some knowledge of Hamas's operational intentions, though it was regarded as doubtful that they were fully apprised of the specific plans or timing of the attacks.
Intelligence assessments leading up to the incident classified Gaza as a secondary threat, hypothesizing that Hamas was not inclined toward a full-scale military confrontation and lacked the requisite capabilities.
Israeli officials harbored the belief that early warning signals would be detectable in case of an imminent attack, adopting a strategic approach focused on maintaining deterrence rather than actively neutralizing threats.
This came despite the military's acknowledgment of having unmasked a Hamas operational invasion plan—referred to as 'Jericho Wall'—that was reportedly in development since as early as 2016.
The report indicated that soldiers relied heavily on precise intelligence data and failed to rigorously challenge this reliance, with critical information being misinterpreted as unrealistic or improbable plans.
On October 7, Hamas fighters launched a coordinated incursion into Israel, with the investigation estimating that as many as 5,600 militants crossed the border in three distinct waves while simultaneously firing nearly 4,700 mortars and rockets into Israeli territory.
Although the Israeli government regards Hamas’s administration as illegitimate, the inquiry noted that no alternative governance strategy had been envisaged in response to this viewpoint.
Additionally, the investigation criticized Hamas for successfully misleading Israel into believing it sought peace and better socio-economic conditions in Gaza in the years preceding the attacks.
In the aftermath of the attacks, which resulted in over 1,300 Israeli deaths and more than 250 hostages taken, the IDF has been presenting its findings to the residents of communities directly affected by the attacks.
Community reactions have been mixed, with many residents expressing that the investigations raised more questions than they provided answers.
As of this week, Hamas has returned the bodies of the last four Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, thus concluding the first phase of a ceasefire agreement.
This exchange fulfills the obligations of both parties under the ceasefire terms, which is scheduled to lapse on Saturday, with no current indication regarding an extension or the progression to a second phase of the negotiations.
According to an internal investigation conducted by the IDF Southern Command, there was a complete absence of awareness or predictive capability regarding the impending attacks, which resulted in security forces being deployed to the minimum required for day-to-day threats.
The investigation report, encompassing approximately 40 pages, details critical missteps and acknowledges that the IDF did not fulfill its mandate to safeguard civilians, labeling the event as one of the most significant failures in the military's history.
The IDF further stated that its primary focus prior to the attacks was on threats posed by Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The inquiry revealed that these groups appeared to have some knowledge of Hamas's operational intentions, though it was regarded as doubtful that they were fully apprised of the specific plans or timing of the attacks.
Intelligence assessments leading up to the incident classified Gaza as a secondary threat, hypothesizing that Hamas was not inclined toward a full-scale military confrontation and lacked the requisite capabilities.
Israeli officials harbored the belief that early warning signals would be detectable in case of an imminent attack, adopting a strategic approach focused on maintaining deterrence rather than actively neutralizing threats.
This came despite the military's acknowledgment of having unmasked a Hamas operational invasion plan—referred to as 'Jericho Wall'—that was reportedly in development since as early as 2016.
The report indicated that soldiers relied heavily on precise intelligence data and failed to rigorously challenge this reliance, with critical information being misinterpreted as unrealistic or improbable plans.
On October 7, Hamas fighters launched a coordinated incursion into Israel, with the investigation estimating that as many as 5,600 militants crossed the border in three distinct waves while simultaneously firing nearly 4,700 mortars and rockets into Israeli territory.
Although the Israeli government regards Hamas’s administration as illegitimate, the inquiry noted that no alternative governance strategy had been envisaged in response to this viewpoint.
Additionally, the investigation criticized Hamas for successfully misleading Israel into believing it sought peace and better socio-economic conditions in Gaza in the years preceding the attacks.
In the aftermath of the attacks, which resulted in over 1,300 Israeli deaths and more than 250 hostages taken, the IDF has been presenting its findings to the residents of communities directly affected by the attacks.
Community reactions have been mixed, with many residents expressing that the investigations raised more questions than they provided answers.
As of this week, Hamas has returned the bodies of the last four Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, thus concluding the first phase of a ceasefire agreement.
This exchange fulfills the obligations of both parties under the ceasefire terms, which is scheduled to lapse on Saturday, with no current indication regarding an extension or the progression to a second phase of the negotiations.
