How Much Did Israel’s Military Know About the October 7th Attack Plans?
A recently leaked report has revealed that elements within Israel’s intelligence community were aware of Hamas’ plans to break through the Gaza barrier and take hostages on October 7. This has raised significant questions about why preventive measures were not taken.
Detailed Plans Ignored
According to multiple sources, including The Times of Israel and the Egypt Independent, Israeli officials had obtained a detailed 40-page document, code-named “Jericho Wall,” outlining Hamas’ attack plan more than a year before the assault occurred. The document described the strategy for an incursion into Israeli territory, detailing the methods Hamas would use to breach the Gaza Strip fortifications and conduct operations within Israel (The Times of Israel) (Egypt Independent). Despite this, Israeli intelligence and military officials reportedly dismissed the plan, considering it too ambitious for Hamas to execute successfully.
Breakdown in Intelligence Response
The failure to act on the “Jericho Wall” document has been widely criticized as a significant intelligence lapse. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced public backlash for his handling of the intelligence warnings. While he accused security chiefs of not adequately warning him, these officials claimed that the prevalent assessment was that Hamas was deterred and not in a position to carry out such an attack (Egypt Independent).
Covert Communication Methods
Hamas’ ability to conceal its preparations played a crucial role. Intelligence shared with the U.S. indicated that Hamas operatives planned the attack using hardwired phone lines within Gaza’s tunnel network, avoiding digital communications that could be intercepted by Israeli intelligence. This old-fashioned counterintelligence tactic allowed Hamas to plan the operation over two years without detection (Egypt Independent).
Implications and Accountability
The revelations have led to a broader discussion on the efficiency and responsiveness of Israel’s intelligence and military systems. The incident underscores the complexity of intelligence work, especially when dealing with highly secretive and adaptive adversaries like Hamas. The ongoing debate includes calls for accountability and a reevaluation of Israel’s intelligence practices to prevent future lapses.
These findings contribute to the understanding of the events leading up to the October 7 attack and highlight the challenges faced by intelligence agencies in predicting and preventing coordinated assaults. The situation remains a point of contention and reflection within Israeli society and among its leadership.
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“The homeland is stuck in our teeth. It’s filling our cavities. It rests on our tongues. My God. How we yearn for its olive trees. How it haunts our dreams.”
― Noor Hindi, Dear God. Dear Bones. Dear Yellow.