The Israeli government was criticized for failing to protect its citizens during the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, according to a civilian report released by the Civilian Board of Inquiry. The report blamed Israel’s defense and intelligence establishment, as well as civilian leaders like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for arrogance and not striking Hamas pre-emptively. The board, made up of former members of various sectors, called for an official inquiry into the attacks, which Netanyahu has refused. The report also highlighted the policy of “money for quiet” and the failure of Israeli intelligence branches as contributing factors to the tragedy.
The attacks resulted in 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages, leading to a devastating war that killed thousands in Gaza. The Israeli intelligence services failed to provide timely warnings and were blindsided by the attack despite their reputation as capable agencies. Former defense minister Benny Gantz called for a national inquiry to aid in national healing and restore public trust. Former soldiers also criticized the Israeli military for ignoring warnings about suspicious Hamas activities before the attacks.
The report also criticized former defense minister Yoav Gallant for reducing troop presence near Gaza and ignoring warning signs, while blaming the military for failures in protecting communities like Be’eri. The report highlighted the need for accountability and reform within Israel’s defense and intelligence agencies to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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