An independent Civilian Commission of Inquiry has placed the blame for Israel’s catastrophic failures on October 7 firmly on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defense ministers, and the heads of Israel’s security services. In a scathing report, the commission accuses Israel’s leadership of failing in their primary responsibility to protect citizens, stating that the IDF, Shin Bet, and other agencies “completely failed” to prevent the Hamas attack.
The report criticizes Israel’s leadership for displaying “arrogance” and “inherent blindness,” arguing that despite prior intelligence on Hamas’s plans, the IDF was unprepared for the assault. It states that political leaders, particularly Netanyahu, ignored repeated warnings from senior military officials, preventing any meaningful discussions on the threat.
The commission also highlights Netanyahu’s strained relationship with the military and security services, describing it as either poor or nonexistent. It further faults former defense minister Yoav Gallant and military leaders for reducing IDF presence along the Gaza border and neglecting key observation units.
The strategic shift toward a “small and smart army,” supported by former defense minister Benny Gantz and others, is also criticized for leaving the IDF ill-prepared to address the severity of the threat. The commission notes that Israel had obtained intelligence about the “Jericho Wall” assault plan over a year prior, but failed to act decisively.
The findings reflect a damning critique of Israel’s leadership and security strategy in the face of a known, imminent threat.
