The devastating events of October 7, 2023, marked one of the darkest days in Israeli history, as Hamas launched its unprecedented assault, leading to extensive loss of lives and severe repercussions on national security. Now, several months later, independent inquiries are shedding light on governmental failures behind this calamity. What emerges from these investigations is not just frustration, but also urgent calls for accountability from those directly affected by the tragedy.
The most prominent of these inquiries is the Civil Commission of Inquiry of the Oct. 7 Disaster, comprising relatives of victims and survivors. Established last July, the commission undertook rigorous investigations over three months, collecting testimonies from approximately 120 witnesses, including former prime ministers, military leaders, and intelligence officials.
The commission’s report, released recently, is damning. It explicitly identifies Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top military officials as key players whose failures left the nation ill-prepared for the attack. The report alleges Netanyahu's administration undermined the frameworks needed for sound national security decisions, contributing to Israel's vulnerability.
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is responsible for undermining all decision-making hubs," states the report, criticizing his approach to sidelining both the security cabinet and the National Security Council. This centralization of power is noted to have stifled meaningful discourse on security strategies, which, according to the commission, is pivotal for effective governance and national defense.
But there’s more. The inquiry also highlights the troubling policy of transferring funds to Hamas, which reportedly empowered the organization to exacerbate its military capabilities over the years. The commission observes, “The dangerous ‘money for quiet’ policy was not only misguided but also disregarded intelligence warnings.” This practice saw Netanyahu's government facilitate millions of dollars from Qatar to Gaza, aiming to maintain calm but, paradoxically, strengthening Hamas's position and resolve.
Military preparedness is another focal point of the inquiry. The report criticizes top commanders for reducing troop presence along the Gaza border, which prompted reliance on technological surveillance methods instead of human monitoring. Despite receiving intelligence on Hamas's plans—dubbed the “Jericho Wall”—more than a year prior to the assault, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) seemed woefully unprepared.
“Arrogance is what led... the IDF was not prepared for the massive invasion,” the report observes. Military failings on the day of the attack are described as “a miserable failure, to the point of collapse.” Soldiers on the front line faced severe coordination failures, with inadequate backup and lacking proper defense resources.
Despite offering valuable insights, the commission's findings cannot replace what many see as the necessary establishment of an official state inquiry with the legal authority to subpoena witnesses and access classified materials. During a press conference, retired Judge Varda Alshech, who leads the commission, stated, “We are the first committee who would be happy to be dissolved. Otherwise, we will never reach the truth.”
This desire for accountability resonates deeply with families of the victims. Hen Zander, whose sister was killed during the attack, expressed her concern about the potential for future negligence if no formal investigation occurs. “Our siblings and children would have died for nothing,” she remarked, stressing the urgency for comprehensive inquiries.
Simultaneously, Prime Minister Netanyahu's office and the military have yet to issue meaningful responses to these allegations. Their investigations appear limited to examining specific incidents from October 7, and Netanyahu has maintained the stance of waiting until the current military conflict concludes before addressing accountability. Critics, meanwhile, lament this reluctance as avoidance.
Parallel to these civil inquiries, a recent groundbreaking study from Tel Aviv University adds another layer to the narrative surrounding October 7. Researchers there recorded seismic signals from the Gaza Strip early on the morning before the attack, indicating unusual movement patterns likely employed by Hamas forces. This development underlines technological avenues for potential early warning systems concerning future threats.
According to Dr. Arafat Alhaj, who conducted the study, unusual seismic noise was detected just prior to the onset of the attack. These signals registered among the quiet background of Simchat Torah festivities, showcasing how forensic seismology can provide new insights, albeit retrospectively. Dr. Alhaj emphasizes this technology could potentially yield early warning signs for terrorist activities if integrated effectively.
The simultaneous examinations provided by civil inquiries and scientific research present not just insights but warnings. The collective sentiment resonates among Israeli society, as citizens are increasingly frustrated with government apathy concerning national security. The growing expectation is for formal investigations to initiate substantive reforms and rebuild public trust.
While the Civil Commission of Inquiry lacks the authority typically reserved for state commissions—which can compel testimony and examine classified materials—its findings express the urgent need for societal acknowledgment and government accountability. Israel’s past often dictates the need for rigorous examination of failures, as witnessed following other national crises.
Calls for change have taken root among the public. Advocates argue for the establishment of formal commissions to investigate the failures and to implement recommendations from these inquiries fully. Several prominent figures, including military analysts and sociologists, have pointed out the perils of disbanding accountability efforts as Israel faces its toughest challenges yet, both internally and externally.
Meanwhile, as discussions surrounding accountability churn on, the country faces another crisis: the military campaign initiated against Hamas after the attacks on October 7. With international legal inquiries examining military conduct, voices keep stressing the importance of linking domestic accountability processes with external legal scrutiny.
The inquiries, both civilian and scientific, amplify the message of needing transparency and prevention mechanisms to protect future generations from experiences of trauma and loss witnessed on October 7. The reliance on self-governance and community-led initiatives may pave the way for unconventional paths to healing and ensuring community safety.
With families still grappling with their grief, the nation stands at a crossroads—one where the hope for accountability could translate not merely to lessons learned but to actionable strategies for safeguarding Israeli citizens as they move forward.
