Israeli military intelligence allegedly warned of Hamas attack
The Hamas massacre of October 7th is one of the greatest tragedies in Israel's history. The discussion about how this attack with over 1200 fatalities came about is still ongoing. A TV report could fuel the debate. According to the report, the military intelligence service had warned of Hamas plans to attack military bases and civilian settlements in the border area before the Hamas terror attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023. An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed that they were checking the TV report.
More than two weeks before the Hamas terror attack on Israel on October 7th, there were clear warnings from the military intelligence service, according to a media report. The public broadcaster Kan reported that plans of the Islamist Hamas to attack military installations were known. An Israeli army spokesperson stated that they were checking the TV report.
Soldiers from the elite 8200 secret intelligence unit had described in a letter distributed within the Gaza Division on September 19, 2023, the training of Hamas for infiltrating military installations. Warnings were also given about Hamas plans to kidnap 200 to 250 Israelis, including women and children. However, these warnings were ignored by the commanders. In the Gaza Division, it was assumed that in the worst-case scenario, several dozen terrorists could penetrate at three locations.
A military correspondent from Kan stated: "The security system was aiming for the pacification of the Gaza Strip at the time, through the improvement of living conditions for the civilian population, work permits for Palestinians, and the lifting of restrictions on goods." Before October 7th, the army had mainly focused on the fence at the border with the Gaza Strip, which also extends deep into the ground. "Everything collapsed on October 7th," the correspondent said.
High-ranking members of the Gaza Division reportedly reacted with disdain to the intelligence warnings. "Nobody put it on the table and sounded the alarm." A soldier involved in the document's drafting wrote, looking back on the massacre on October 7th, "I would like to weep, scream, and curse."
The commander of the Gaza Division had announced his retirement less than a week earlier. "On October 7th, I failed in my mission to protect the Gaza border area," wrote Brigadier General Avi Rosenfeld.
In April, the head of the military intelligence service, Aharon Haliva, had announced his retirement. In addition, Israel's Defense Minister Joav Galant and the head of the domestic intelligence service, Ronen Bar, had taken responsibility for the bloody terror attack with over 1200 fatalities and over 250 kidnappings.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, has not yet taken personal responsibility. Tensions between the political and military leadership of Israel over the issue of responsibility have been growing significantly. Thousands of people have protested repeatedly against the policy and warfare of Netanyahu.
- The military intelligence service had warned both the Gaza Division and the political leadership about Hamas' plans to attack military installations and potentially kidnap Israeli civilians, but these warnings were initially disregarded.
- The issue of responsibility for the Israel war with over 1200 fatalities and over 250 kidnappings has led to increasing tensions between the political and military leadership of Israel, prompting public protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policy and warfare.
