Key takeaways from the recent Israeli military investigation into the October 7 attack include:

• The military acknowledged a "complete failure" in preventing the Hamas assault.
• Over 1,200 Israelis were killed, with tens of thousands of Palestinians reported dead as a result of the ensuing conflict.
• Pressure mounts for Prime Minister Netanyahu to answer for his role in national security failures leading up to the attack.

An investigation by the Israeli army has revealed severe shortcomings that allowed Hamas to execute a significant attack on October 7, 2023. The report, issued on February 27, concluded with a stark admission of failure, stating that the Israeli military had long underestimated Hamas's capabilities and intentions. The attack left over 1,200 Israelis dead and set off a violent conflict that has seen unprecedented casualties in Gaza, with official figures suggesting the death toll exceeds 48,000, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

The internal probe, which took 15 months, identified key areas of failure within the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), from military planning to intelligence assessments. “October 7 was a complete failure,” said an army official, underscoring the military’s lapse in its duty to protect civilians. The report criticized a longstanding belief among military planners that Hamas was more focused on governance than militaristic aggression, which led to a lack of preparedness for a ground invasion.

On the night of the attack, intelligence officials failed to act on warning signs, including an increase in suspicious activities by Hamas and the unusual activation of Israeli SIM cards in the hands of Hamas fighters. The prevailing sentiment was that the militant group would not initiate a full-scale conflict, causing commanders to disregard vital intelligence alerts as mere military exercises.

During the chaos that unfolded, about 5,600 Hamas fighters infiltrated Israel, launching an onslaught that included a barrage of rockets and ground assaults. The army was unprepared, and initial troops were reportedly delayed in their deployment, further facilitating Hamas's advance. According to military reports, significant disorder and confusion followed, resulting in numerous casualties among both civilians and soldiers.

The inquiry also highlighted the failure of the air force to distinguish between hostile and civilian targets, leading to collateral damage during the military response. One of the report's shocking discoveries was the possible authorization of the controversial Hannibal Directive, which permits extreme measures to prevent the capture of Israeli soldiers, potentially resulting in civilian casualties.

As pressure mounts on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the aftermath of the report, questions are being raised about his leadership during a period marked by a controversial strategy of allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza while sidelining rival Palestinian factions. Netanyahu has so far resisted calls for wider inquiries, stating he will respond to calls for accountability only after the ongoing conflict stabilizes. Critics demand immediate accountability amid public uproar, especially from families of the nearly 1,200 victims of the October 7 attack.

This investigation is a critical step for the IDF, representing a push for self-reflection and improvement as the military braces for further scrutiny regarding its operational readiness and intelligence-sharing protocols in future conflicts. The absence of similar investigations into the political failures leading to the October 7 event remains a significant concern within Israeli society.

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