The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) admits to significant mistakes in assessing Hamas's threat level and capabilities leading to the deadly attack on October 7. A newly released report outlines misjudgments, complacency, and failures to act on warnings that contributed to the catastrophe.
IDF Acknowledges Failures in Response to Hamas Attack on October 7
IDF Acknowledges Failures in Response to Hamas Attack on October 7
Israel's military releases a report detailing lapses in its defense mechanisms during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed approximately 1,200 people.
Israel's military has published its first official report reflecting on the failures that occurred during the deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. This assault resulted in the loss of approximately 1,200 lives across Israeli communities, military bases, and a music festival. The 19-page document concludes that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) did not fulfill its responsibility to protect Israeli civilians during this period.
The report reiterates known information about the catastrophic losses stemming from the incursion of around 5,000 Hamas gunmen, who also took 251 individuals hostage. While there were no shocking revelations, the report starkly highlights the military's misjudgment regarding Hamas's capabilities and intentions.
Prioritizing threats from Iran and Hezbollah over Gaza, the military's approach regarded Hamas as a secondary concern. The report notes a "paradoxical" strategy: deeming Hamas an illegitimate entity while failing to pursue any viable alternative. During this period, the IDF adopted a "conflict management" approach, believing Hamas was neither preparing nor interested in large-scale hostilities—a misconception reinforced by misleading tactics employed by Hamas.
Despite intelligence indications from 2018 and onward that suggested Hamas was devising a comprehensive attack strategy, the military perceived these assessments as unrealistic or merely aspirational threats. A developing intelligence evaluation suggesting concrete operational planning by Hamas did not reach high-ranking officials, instead, the report points to a troubling complacency within military ranks regarding the significance of the threat posed by Hamas.
There was a marked absence of deep discussion among military leaders about alternative perspectives on Hamas's intentions, leading to a sustained disconnect between intelligence assessments and the harsh reality. The report emphasized a lapse in understanding Hamas's cultural and historical context, calling for a thorough reform of the intelligence directorate, which needs to foster a culture of skepticism and openness.
Furthermore, the report identified communication issues that hindered military responses immediately before the October 7 attack, causing a significant operational delay. Defensive measures faltered, and Israeli forces struggled to differentiate between civilians, IDF troops, and Hamas militants. As the assault unfolded, it took several hours for the military to regain control of the situation along the Gaza perimeter.
The IDF's outgoing chief of staff, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, has accepted full responsibility for these failings, acknowledging his role during the crisis. He has called for a comprehensive inquiry to prevent future attacks, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refrained from accepting personal responsibility, suggesting any state inquiry could wait until the conflict in Gaza concludes.
In response to the October 7 attack, Israel initiated extensive air and ground actions in Gaza, resulting in significant casualties in the territory, with reports indicating over 48,365 deaths according to Hamas-controlled health ministry figures.
