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Israel’s military has released its first official report on the failures surrounding Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, acknowledging that the Israel Defense Forces, IDF, “failed in its mission to protect Israeli civilians”.

The 19-page report details the misjudgments that led to the deaths of approximately 1,200 people when around 5,000 gunmen from Hamas and other Palestinian groups launched a coordinated assault on Israeli communities, military bases, and a music festival. The attackers also took 251 hostages back to Gaza.

The report points out a “broad streak of complacency” within the IDF, particularly its underestimation of Hamas’s intentions and capabilities. It criticizes the military’s “conflict management” approach toward Gaza and reveals that intelligence suggesting Hamas was planning a large-scale attack was dismissed as “unrealistic or unfeasible.”

Despite emerging assessments in the months prior to the attack indicating that Hamas was shifting from long-term aspirations to actionable plans, this intelligence was not shared with senior officials.

The report also points to failures in the military’s response on October 7. The Gaza Division was “effectively defeated for several hours,” impairing its ability to understand and react to the unfolding crisis..

While the Air Force mobilized quickly, it faced challenges distinguishing between IDF troops, civilians, and attackers. In some instances, wounded soldiers were evacuated before civilians.

Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, the outgoing IDF chief of staff, accepted full responsibility for the failures.

“I embrace my responsibility,” he said after presenting the findings to commanders. Last month, Halevi announced his resignation and called for an independent commission of inquiry.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has opposed initiating a state inquiry until the ongoing Gaza war concludes. His critics accuse him of refusing to acknowledge any personal responsibility for the security lapse.

Israel’s military response to the October 7 attack has led to an air and ground offensive in Gaza, where at least 48,365 people have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.