IDF Admits Misjudging Hamas, Failing to Prepare for October 7 Attacks

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Thursday published its investigation into the devastating October 7 attack, acknowledging that the military had “misread” Hamas for years. The surprise assault by the Palestinian group in southern Israel triggered a 15-month-long war between Israel and Hamas.

According to the report, approximately 5,000 Hamas-led militants infiltrated Israel from the Gaza Strip, launching widespread violence. The IDF admitted that its forces struggled to mount an effective response as bases near the border were overrun and the chain of command collapsed amid the chaos.

Attack Leaves 1,200 Dead, Hundreds Kidnapped

The attack resulted in 1,200 deaths in Israel, with another 251 people taken hostage. The IDF report highlighted that most victims were civilians, and the affected areas suffered significant destruction.

Years of Military Oversight Led to Security Collapse

The report also exposed critical failures in monitoring Hamas over the years. The IDF acknowledged that these weaknesses only became evident months after the attack. The Gaza Division, responsible for securing southern Israel, was reportedly “defeated” for several hours, leading to delays in Israel’s response.

A key finding in the investigation was the military’s flawed perception of Hamas. Before the attack, the IDF assumed the group did not pose a major threat and was not interested in large-scale conflict. It also underestimated the effectiveness of Hamas’s tunnel networks.

Ignored Intelligence Warnings Since 2014

The investigation found that the Military Intelligence Directorate had received information about Hamas’s plans for a large-scale attack but dismissed it as “unrealistic and unfeasible.” Instead of taking action, officials incorrectly believed that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was pragmatic and uninterested in escalating conflict. The IDF primarily focused on Hamas’s rocket-firing capabilities rather than the possibility of a ground invasion.

Report Avoids Political Leadership Scrutiny

The probe focused solely on operational failures within the IDF and did not examine the role of political leadership. By doing so, the investigation avoided potential disputes with government officials, who have insisted that inquiries into leadership decisions should wait until after the war.

The IDF investigated 41 major battles and incidents from the October 7 attack. A Hebrew-language website has been launched to make the findings available to authorities.