How the Israeli army could be so surprised “One responsible person: Benjamin Netanyahu” – the press review from Israel

The major attack on Israel raises many questions: How can a country with one of the most powerful secret service apparatuses be so surprised? Did Israel’s Iron Dome fail? How did Hamas acquire such a large rocket arsenal?

Five possible explanations:

Time of day

50 years after the start of the Yom Kippur War, Hamas surprised Israel with an unprecedented major attack. As in 1973, it struck Israel on a Shabbat – this time on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. In the past, there have been repeated escalations of violence on Jewish holidays. The highest level of security is especially important at hotspots. The Israeli military has focused too much on hotspots in the West Bank and underestimated the threat from the Gaza Strip, according to an Egyptian intelligence official.

Recent domestic political unrest may also have played a role. Several intelligence officials are said to have warned that the disputes over the controversial judicial reform would have consequences for the country’s security services.

Israeli Admiral Daniel Hagari admits that the army owes the people an explanation. But now is not the time for that. “First we fight, then we investigate,” he said.

Underrated tunnel system

The Israeli secret service Mossad is considered one of the best in the world. Gaza is completely closed off by fences or walls. The fencing also contains underground sensors that detect tunnel locks. Nevertheless, Hamas managed to dig 40-meter-deep tunnels that reach into Israel and Egypt. Some even fit into vehicles. This meant that weapons and fighters could be transported. The Israelis are said to have been aware of the tunnel system, reports Richard C. Schneider, ARD correspondent from Tel Aviv. “But people underestimate how big and how perfect it is.”

“Low Tech” vs “High Tech”

Israel has installed a network of electronic listening devices throughout the Gaza Strip. But instead of smartphones, Hamas used personal couriers, estimates CNN military analyst Cedric Leighton. Israel kept a close eye on the Gaza Strip and intercepted all telephone and radio conversations, the retired colonel said. Hamas managed to avoid this by using communication tools from the 19th century. Century” took me.

Too many missiles at once

Previous rocket attacks by Hamas were repelled by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. But the heavy shelling endangered even the otherwise very reliable defense system. Within a short time, Hamas fired thousands of rockets at various targets in Israel, some of which were built by Hamas itself. It is also possible that new missiles were used that were more difficult to intercept.

Outside help

According to the intelligence service, Hamas is mainly supplied with weapons from Syria and Iran. They are smuggled via Yemen or Sudan and then via Egypt to Gaza. This is known because Israel has often succeeded in intercepting arms deliveries. According to the secret service, many individual parts were smuggled into Gaza before the major attack, which were then assembled into missiles and rockets.

It is still unclear whether Iran had a hand in this. “We have no evidence yet that Iran is behind this attack,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNN. But research by the Wall Street Journal shows that Tehran approved the attack. Iran denies allegations of involvement in the attack.