Israeli Military Admits Failures in October 7 Hamas Attack

A military investigation reveals intelligence lapses and misjudgments that left Israel unprepared for the deadliest attack in its history.

The Israeli military investigation found it underestimated Hamas' intentions and capabilities, contributing to the October 7, 2023, attack that killed over 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
Hamas exploited gaps in border security, using over 60 attack routes and leveraging years of planning and deception to carry out the assault.
The report criticized overconfidence in intelligence and defensive measures, which failed to detect or prevent the large-scale attack during a Jewish holiday weekend.
Calls for a national inquiry into broader political and military failures are growing, but Prime Minister Netanyahu has deferred such discussions until after the war.
The findings highlight systemic issues, including a focus on other threats like Hezbollah and Iran, and reliance on assumptions that Hamas sought governance over conflict.