Posted on Oct 9, 2023
Hamas' attack is a staggering failure for Israel's intelligence and security forces
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https://www.npr.org/2023/10/09/ [login to see] /israel-intelligence-security-hamas-gaza
Israel's intelligence and security services have been called into question for failing to anticipate the large-scale attack launched by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday.
Following some reports, about 1,000 militants gunned down civilians and military targets inside Israel in an attack unprecedented in scale.
According to Israeli media, at least 700 Israelis were killed and more than 2,100 were wounded. Israel responded by launching air strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip. More than 400 Palestinians have been killed and more than 2,300 injured.
The death toll is likely to grow as fighting continues.
"No national intelligence agency is omniscient or flawless, but this is just a colossal failure," said Bruce Hoffman, a senior fellow for counterterrorism and homeland security at the Council on Foreign Relations. "It's just astonishing that this could occur."
Israel's intelligence and security services have been called into question for failing to anticipate the large-scale attack launched by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday.
Following some reports, about 1,000 militants gunned down civilians and military targets inside Israel in an attack unprecedented in scale.
According to Israeli media, at least 700 Israelis were killed and more than 2,100 were wounded. Israel responded by launching air strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip. More than 400 Palestinians have been killed and more than 2,300 injured.
The death toll is likely to grow as fighting continues.
"No national intelligence agency is omniscient or flawless, but this is just a colossal failure," said Bruce Hoffman, a senior fellow for counterterrorism and homeland security at the Council on Foreign Relations. "It's just astonishing that this could occur."
Hamas' attack is a staggering failure for Israel's intelligence and security forces
Posted from npr.org
Israel
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Posted 7 mo ago
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SICK SNEAK ATTACK THAT'S BEEN BREWING SINCE THE BEGINING OF TIME, ISRAEL'S NEEDS TO BEEF UP IMMENSLEY OR IT COULD BE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE IMHO: PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."The Israeli intelligence apparatus had its attention elsewhere
In recent months, much of the Israel Defense Forces' focus has been in the West Bank, where battalions of young Palestinian men have launched their own initiative against the Israeli occupation.
"The West Bank was consuming their attention," said Hoffman, who has studied Israeli-Palestinian relations for the past 40 years.
Israeli officials have also been preoccupied with tensions around the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the most holy Muslim site in Jerusalem, also sacred to Jews as the Temple Mount, after Israeli police conducted raids on worshipers back in April.
"There were a lot of assets and resources focused on monitoring events in Jerusalem," Hoffman said.
At home, Israel was divided and was celebrating a holiday
The country has become increasingly divided and rife with domestic political problems. In July, Israel's parliament voted to prevent judges from striking down government decisions on the basis that they are "unreasonable."
The controversial changes to the judiciary, pushed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right government, sparked public outrage and mass protests. Some members of Israel's military reserve also refused to report for duty recently, though they've all reported to duty in this crisis. Hoffman said it is not a surprise that Hamas would choose to strike during a polarizing time.
"They strike precisely when they sense an opportunity," Hoffman said. "When they see a gap generally in their enemy's defenses, generally caused by distraction or preoccupation with other threats or challenges."
The assault also took place during the Jewish Sabbath and in the early hours of the Simchat Torah holiday. Israeli soldiers guarding the border wrote on social media that militants overtook their base, killing soldiers — and there were fewer troops on duty because it was a Jewish holiday."...
..."The Israeli intelligence apparatus had its attention elsewhere
In recent months, much of the Israel Defense Forces' focus has been in the West Bank, where battalions of young Palestinian men have launched their own initiative against the Israeli occupation.
"The West Bank was consuming their attention," said Hoffman, who has studied Israeli-Palestinian relations for the past 40 years.
Israeli officials have also been preoccupied with tensions around the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the most holy Muslim site in Jerusalem, also sacred to Jews as the Temple Mount, after Israeli police conducted raids on worshipers back in April.
"There were a lot of assets and resources focused on monitoring events in Jerusalem," Hoffman said.
At home, Israel was divided and was celebrating a holiday
The country has become increasingly divided and rife with domestic political problems. In July, Israel's parliament voted to prevent judges from striking down government decisions on the basis that they are "unreasonable."
The controversial changes to the judiciary, pushed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right government, sparked public outrage and mass protests. Some members of Israel's military reserve also refused to report for duty recently, though they've all reported to duty in this crisis. Hoffman said it is not a surprise that Hamas would choose to strike during a polarizing time.
"They strike precisely when they sense an opportunity," Hoffman said. "When they see a gap generally in their enemy's defenses, generally caused by distraction or preoccupation with other threats or challenges."
The assault also took place during the Jewish Sabbath and in the early hours of the Simchat Torah holiday. Israeli soldiers guarding the border wrote on social media that militants overtook their base, killing soldiers — and there were fewer troops on duty because it was a Jewish holiday."...
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