Independent Inquiry Blames Netanyahu, Military for Unpreparedness in Hamas Attack
A civilian inquiry into the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack has blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and military leaders for critical failures that left the country unprepared for the assault. The Civil Commission of Inquiry of the Oct. 7 Disaster, formed by survivors and relatives of victims, released its findings Tuesday, accusing the government of flawed decision-making and urging an official state investigation.
The commission’s report, based on three months of testimony from 120 witnesses, alleged that Netanyahu centralized decision-making in his office, sidelining the security cabinet and National Security Council, which hindered effective strategy. It criticized his administration’s policy of transferring funds to Hamas, which the group reportedly used to strengthen its position in Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was also faulted for reducing troop presence along the Gaza border and relying too heavily on technology instead of human intelligence. Despite having access to Hamas’ attack plans over a year before the assault, the IDF was unprepared for the unprecedented infiltration. The report described the military’s response on the day as a “miserable failure.”
Panel leaders stressed that while their findings are comprehensive, only a state-led inquiry could hold officials accountable.
The report highlighted a broader frustration among Israelis over the government’s lack of accountability, with civil society stepping in to support victims in the attack’s aftermath. Critics also pointed to the strained relationship between Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, arguing that political discord weakened national security.
Though the commission did not address Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, it emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms to prevent similar failures in the future.
