Report exposes Israeli intelligence shortcomings before Hama

   A recent investigation into the shortcomings of the Israeli military before the deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, has exposed weaknesses in intelligence gathering, misjudgments about Hamas’ intentions, and systemic failures in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) preparedness and response.

The 19-page report, released on Thursday by the IDF, pointed to intelligence gaps in assessing Hamas’ strategic goals, decision-making, and operational planning. These shortcomings contributed to the military's failure to prevent the deadliest terrorist attack in Israel’s history, in which gunmen killed over 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostage.

Despite possessing relevant intelligence, officials failed to recognize Hamas’ transformation from a pragmatic organization to one actively plotting a large-scale assault, the report stated.

According to the findings, Hamas had been preparing for a major attack as early as 2016, with the objective of breaching the Gaza border, seizing Israeli territory, and inflicting mass casualties.

The report highlighted multiple missed warning signs, including Hamas’ training exercises and operational planning, which were either misinterpreted or dismissed as implausible. Had these signals been properly analyzed, Hamas’ true intentions might have been uncovered.

The militant group deliberately created a misleading impression of seeking calm while secretly accelerating its military buildup. By May 2023, Hamas had finalized plans to launch an attack during a Jewish holiday, aiming to shatter Israel’s sense of security and possibly escalate the conflict into an all-out war aimed at Israel’s destruction.

When the attack unfolded, the IDF was caught off guard by its scale and intensity. The Gaza Division, responsible for defending the border, was overwhelmed within hours, leading to a breakdown in command and control.

The military’s response was further hindered by a lack of situational awareness, delays in mobilizing forces, and inadequate deployment of troops and firepower. The investigation concluded that the IDF’s preparedness was insufficient for an attack of such magnitude.

Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, Israel’s military chief of staff—who has announced his resignation in March over the failure to prevent the attack—acknowledged the military’s shortcomings in a televised address, accepting full responsibility.

“This is our learning process. I have received messages, even from people here, saying ‘You…’ and I have no problem with that. I embrace it. The responsibility is mine,” Halevi stated.

“I was the military commander on October 7, and I bear responsibility. I also take on the burden of my subordinates' mistakes—I see them as my own,” he added.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief of staff, Tzachi Braverman, confirmed on Thursday that Netanyahu had not yet received the investigation report.