Investigative Findings on the October 7 Attack: A Year Later
In a recent report published by Channel 12 Israel, new insights have emerged from investigations into the devastating events of October 7, 2023, a day that left an indelible mark on the region. The report highlights critical lapses in military readiness and decision-making that contributed to the scale of the attack.
The investigations revealed that during a visit to the Gaza Division on September 12, 2023, Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi was presented with alarming intelligence regarding escalating tensions along the Gaza border. Despite warnings from division commanders, including Brigadier General Avi Rosenfeld, who noted a surge in Hamas activity and suspicious movements near the border, the Israeli military leadership opted to reduce troop presence at a crucial juncture. This decision, according to the report, significantly weakened Israel's defensive posture against the impending assault.
On the day of the attack, Hamas militants executed a coordinated breach of the border, creating 120 openings through which they infiltrated surrounding settlements. The report indicates that approximately 600 Israeli soldiers were vastly outnumbered by thousands of Hamas fighters, many of whom were caught off guard and unprepared, as they were reportedly in their pajamas at the time of the attack.
Former head of the army's operations division, Yisrael Ziv, expressed that had there been an adequate number of battalions stationed at the border, the Hamas attack could have potentially been thwarted. The report further details the chaotic response from the Israeli military during the initial hours of the assault, where confusion and slow mobilization led to tragic consequences, emphasizing the critical nature of timely military response in such situations.
