Overview

• The Israeli military investigation found it underestimated Hamas' intentions and capabilities, contributing to the October 7, 2023, attack that killed over 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
• Hamas exploited gaps in border security, using over 60 attack routes and leveraging years of planning and deception to carry out the assault.
• The report criticized overconfidence in intelligence and defensive measures, which failed to detect or prevent the large-scale attack during a Jewish holiday weekend.
• Calls for a national inquiry into broader political and military failures are growing, but Prime Minister Netanyahu has deferred such discussions until after the war.
• The findings highlight systemic issues, including a focus on other threats like Hezbollah and Iran, and reliance on assumptions that Hamas sought governance over conflict.