IDF overlooked warning signs before Hamas attack, report suggests

By bellecarter // 2025-01-27

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Israeli military officials received early warnings of Hamas' aerial division preparing for attacks but did not act swiftly, leading to a catastrophic breach of security that resulted in hundreds of deaths and kidnappings.
In the months prior to the attack, military officials underestimated the Hamas threat, relying heavily on the Gaza border fence as a deterrent. This overconfidence allowed thousands of terrorists to cross into Israel easily.
The IDF's decision-making process has come under scrutiny, with officials failing to prioritize immediate action over concerns about burning intelligence sources.
The attack resulted in at least 1,200 deaths and the kidnapping of 251 hostages, highlighting the catastrophic consequences of underestimating the threat and failing to act on intelligence.
In response to the failures, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and Southern Command head Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman announced their resignations, emphasizing the serious implications of the security breach and the need for a thorough review of protocols.

In the early hours of Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli military officials received reports of unusual activity by Hamas' aerial division, including preparations for rocket launches. However, these alerts were not acted upon swiftly enough, leading to the devastating Hamas attack that left hundreds dead and scores more kidnapped. This revelation, detailed in a report by Ynet News, highlights critical intelligence failures and overconfidence within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that contributed to one of the most severe security breaches in Israel's history. It was around 2 a.m. on Oct. 7 when reports of strange activities from Hamas' aerial division began to filter into the Israeli Air Force command center. By 3 a.m., the IDF Southern Command general was on the line with senior officers to assess the situation. According to Maj. Gen. Oded Basiuk, the head of the IDF Operations Directorate, Hamas could be preparing for "action against Israel in the coming hours," which might include rocket fire or an airborne infiltration. Despite these warnings, the IDF did not immediately shut down the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re'im, where thousands of young people were sleeping or partying in tents. This failure to act quickly on the intelligence has been a subject of intense scrutiny and criticism.

Dismissal of threats and overreliance on border fences

In the months leading up to the attack, military officials downplayed the severity of the Hamas threat, citing the Gaza border fence as an impenetrable barrier. This overconfidence proved devastating on the morning of Oct. 7, when thousands of armed terrorists streamed into Israel with ease, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 251 hostages. The disconnect between the seriousness of the threats and how seriously they were taken by IDF brass is evident in the reports. Despite the warnings, few actions were taken, partly due to concerns about burning intelligence sources. "The Operations Directorate head emphasized the need to beware of a rash defense," the report quoted from a document on that morning's activities. A senior officer cited by Ynet said that if anyone thought there was a danger, stopping it would be more important than any source. This perspective underscores the critical nature of the decision-making process and the potential consequences of inaction in the face of imminent threats. The reports of intelligence failures and dismissed threats have led to significant repercussions within the IDF. On Jan. 21, both IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and Southern Command head Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman announced their resignations over their roles in the failures that led to the Hamas attack. (Related: Israel's rules of engagement under scrutiny: IDF accused of indiscriminately killing civilians in Gaza.) This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and decisive action in the face of potential threats, especially when dealing with a hostile group like Hamas. The IDF's overreliance on border fences and downplaying of intelligence warnings have had catastrophic consequences, highlighting the need for a thorough review of security protocols and decision-making processes. Visit IsraelCollapse.com to read stories related to this. Watch the clip below that shows three female hostages being handed over to IDF in Gaza. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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Dismissal of threats and overreliance on border fences

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