An Egyptian intelligence official revealed that Israel had ignored repeated warnings about an impending significant attack by Hamas. Egypt, which often mediates between Israel and Hamas, had reportedly cautioned Israel multiple times about an upcoming major development. However, Israeli officials appeared to have focused on the West Bank rather than Gaza, partly due to concerns over security in the West Bank, which is home to many settlers and had witnessed a surge in violence in recent months.
The intelligence failure was part of a larger set of blunders, including political ones, that led to the surprise Hamas attack. Israel’s intelligence agencies, renowned for their success in the past, failed to anticipate and prepare for the attack that caught the country off guard during a major Jewish holiday.
While Israel has maintained a significant surveillance presence over Gaza, including drones, security cameras, and soldiers along the border, the attack was not detected in advance. The assault involved breaching Israeli border barriers and sending hundreds of terrorists into Israel, resulting in a significant loss of life and hundreds of Israelis taken hostage.
Some experts argue that it is too early to attribute the intelligence failure solely to a lack of foresight. Factors such as a wave of low-level violence in the West Bank and political turmoil in Israel may have diverted attention and resources away from Gaza. The controversial plan by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to overhaul the judiciary had created political unrest and affected the cohesion of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Despite Israel’s technological and human intelligence capabilities, Hamas managed to keep its plan hidden. The attack, which required meticulous planning, training, and coordination among multiple terror groups, went unnoticed by Israeli intelligence.
Amir Avivi, a retired Israeli general, pointed out that without a physical presence inside Gaza, Israel has relied increasingly on technological means for intelligence gathering. However, terrorists in Gaza have found ways to evade technological surveillance, leaving Israel with an incomplete picture of their intentions.
Furthermore, Israel’s perception of Hamas as a governance-focused actor, interested in economic development and improving living conditions in Gaza, may have contributed to the intelligence failure. In reality, Hamas prioritizes Israel’s destruction, and its intention to carry out a large-scale attack went unnoticed.
Internal divisions in Israel over a controversial legal overhaul plan also contributed to the intelligence lapse. The plan, supported by Netanyahu’s government, created divisions within the IDF, diverting attention from potential security threats.
Overall, the intelligence failure has raised questions about Israel’s readiness and its reliance on technology in the face of determined adversaries like Hamas. It serves as a reminder that even a well-equipped and experienced intelligence community can be caught off guard by a determined foe.
Source: with agencies