Israel’s military has released its first official report on the failures that led to its inability to prevent Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. The 19-page report, published on Monday, acknowledges that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) “failed in its mission to protect Israeli civilians.”
The attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, with around 251 hostages taken by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups. The document does not introduce any groundbreaking revelations, but it provides a detailed assessment of the military’s misjudgments, complacency, and intelligence failures leading up to the assault.
One of the key findings is that the IDF had deprioritized Gaza as a security threat, focusing instead on Iran and Hezbollah. The report describes Israel’s approach to Gaza as “paradoxical,” noting that while Hamas was considered illegitimate, no effort was made to develop an alternative governing structure in the territory.
The IDF’s intelligence assessments leading up to the attack were deeply flawed. The military had adopted a “conflict management” strategy, believing Hamas was uninterested in large-scale war. Intelligence suggesting that Hamas was developing an ambitious operational plan was dismissed as unrealistic. Although a shift in intelligence analysis began months before the attack, crucial assessments did not reach top military officials in time.
The report also points to a broader issue of complacency within Israel’s security establishment. It highlights the failure to ask, “What if we are wrong?” regarding Hamas’s intentions. Additionally, it criticizes a decline in deep understanding of Hamas’s worldview, including its culture, religion, and long-term strategies.
On October 7, the IDF’s Gaza Division was overwhelmed for several hours, severely hampering its ability to respond effectively. While the Israeli Air Force launched a swift counterattack, it struggled to differentiate between civilians, Israeli troops, and Hamas militants. The report also notes instances where wounded soldiers were prioritized for evacuation over civilians.
Following the release of the report, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi took full responsibility for the failures, acknowledging his role in the military’s shortcomings. He had previously announced his resignation and called for a broader commission of inquiry. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resisted calls for an immediate state investigation, stating that such a probe should only take place after the war concludes.
Israel’s military response to the attack has led to an extensive air and ground campaign in Gaza, where at least 48,365 people have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The conflict remains ongoing, with no immediate resolution in sight.
