After the devastating Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, the Israeli government faced criticism for failing to prevent the deadliest event in the country’s history. Rather than conducting a formal investigation into the failures, the government delayed, prompting survivors and victims’ families to take matters into their own hands.
An independent commission, established by those affected by the attack, released a scathing report blaming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top military commanders for a series of poor decisions that left Israel vulnerable to invasion. The report, released on Tuesday, highlighted years of faulty decisions that contributed to the tragic events of October 7.
The commission’s findings were based on three months of interviews and public hearings, revealing the government’s decision to fund Hamas, ultimately allowing the group to strengthen its presence in the Gaza Strip leading up to the attack. Prime Minister Netanyahu was criticized for sidelining key decision-making forums that could have prompted internal debate on the wisdom of supporting Hamas.
Furthermore, top military officials were called out for reducing the number of troops stationed along the border with Gaza, as well as for prioritizing signal intelligence over human and visual monitoring of the Palestinian enclave. The report condemned the acceptance of the ‘money for quiet’ doctrine, pointing out the detrimental effects of this approach.
According to the commission, Netanyahu bore the responsibility for undermining decision-making processes, while top military officials were faulted for their neglect of alternative perspectives. The report shed light on the systemic failures that contributed to the tragic events of October 7, 2023.
The delay in holding the Israeli government accountable sparked the creation of this independent commission, which sought to uncover the truth behind the failures that led to the devastating Hamas attack. As survivors and victims’ families sought justice and answers, the commission’s report served as a scathing indictment of the government’s missteps.
Moving forward, it is crucial for the Israeli government to address the shortcomings highlighted in the commission’s report and take steps to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. By learning from past mistakes and implementing necessary reforms, Israel can work towards ensuring the safety and security of its citizens.
