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The probe, which found Israel’s military had misjudged Hamas’ intentions, is likely to put further pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
ADVERTISEMENTIsrael’s army has admitted its “complete failure” over the deadly 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas, saying that it hugely underestimated the capabilities of the militant group.An investigation by the Israeli military released on Thursday said the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) had “failed in its mission to protect Israeli civilians”.The report could pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to launch a widely demanded broader inquiry to examine the political decision-making that preceded the single deadliest attack in Israeli history, which triggered the now 16-month war in Gaza.The investigation’s main findings were that the Israeli military misread Hamas’ intentions, underestimated its strength, and was wholly unprepared for the surprise attack by thousands of heavily armed militants in the early morning hours of a major Jewish holiday.A main misconception was that Hamas, which took control of Gaza from the Palestinian Authority in 2007, was more interested in governing than fighting Israel, the inquiry found.”7 October was a complete failure,” a senior Israeli army official said after the publication of the investigation. “Too many civilians died that day asking themselves in their hearts or out loud, where was the IDF?” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.In comments made to military commanders and shared with the media, the military’s chief of staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, said he took responsibility for the IDF’s failures.”I was the commander of the military on 7 October, and I have my own responsibility. I also carry the weight of all your responsibility — that, too, I see as mine,” said Halevi, who announced his resignation in January and is set to step down next week.The attack killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and Hamas abducted another 251. At least 48,000 people have been killed in Israel’s war in Gaza since then, says the Hamas-run health ministry. It does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.Years in the makingThe investigation said the perception that Hamas did not want war guided decision-makers away from taking action on 7 October that might have thwarted the attack. The Israeli military official said intelligence showed that the late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar — who was killed last October — had started planning the attack as early as 2017.While the report did not place blame on any individual soldiers or officers, it is expected to pave the way for a reckoning in the military and eventual dismissals. Besides Halevi, other high-ranking officers have resigned, such as the ex-head of military intelligence.Many Israelis believe the failures of 7 October extend beyond the army, and they blame Netanyahu for what they view as a failed strategy of deterrence and containment in the years leading up to the attack. That approach included allowing Qatar to send suitcases of cash into Gaza and sidelining Hamas’ rival, the Palestinian Authority.Netanyahu’s administration has resisted appeals to open an inquiry into the government’s responsibility for the attack, saying that it must wait until the war is over.ADVERTISEMENTThe first phase of a three-stage ceasefire that began on 19 January is set to expire on Saturday. Talks between Israel and Hamas on the next phase are currently underway.
