Israeli army acknowledges Oct. 7 failures, including slow response and disorganization
UNB
Publish: 12 Jul 2024, 06:05 PM
JERUSALEM,
Jul 12 (AP/UNB) - The Israeli military on Thursday acknowledged a string of
errors in its response to the deadly Hamas attacks last Oct. 7, including slow
response times and disorganization, as it released the results of its first
investigation into failures during the assault that triggered the war in Gaza.
The report focused on
the border community of Be'eri, where over 100 people were killed and more than
30 others taken hostage by Hamas. It was among the hardest-hit communities in
the early morning attack, and it was the scene of one of the highest-profile
confrontations of Oct. 7 - a standoff in which militants held a group of
hostages inside a home.
"The army failed in
its mission to protect the residents of Kibbutz Be'eri," the military's
chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said in a televised address. "It
is painful and difficult for me to say that."
During the standoff, a
tank fired at the home, raising concerns that the 13 hostages inside were
killed by friendly fire. The military concluded that they were likely killed by
Hamas militants, not Israeli shelling, though it was unclear how it reached
that conclusion, and the report called for additional tests. The army said the
kibbutz was overrun by about 340 Hamas fighters.
Investigators
"determined that, based on the information reviewed and to the best of
their understanding, no civilians inside the building were harmed by tank shell
fire," the report said, though it said two Israeli civilians were hit by
shrapnel outside the building. One of those civilians died, according to the
man's wife.
It also said commanders
on the scene made "professional and responsible decisions" in
ordering the tank strike. It said there had been a joint decision by various
commanders after hearing gunshots within the house and militants saying they
planned to kill the hostages and commit suicide.
"The team
determined that most of the hostages were likely murdered by the
terrorists," the report said.
The report also pointed
to delays of several hours in the arrival of military forces and said forces
waited outside the kibbutz into the afternoon as residents were being killed,
not understanding the severity of the situation.
"This situation is
extremely grave and cannot occur," it said.
The report praised
"the bravery of the Be'eri residents and the members of the kibbutz's
civilian rapid response team," saying it was "crucial in stabilizing
the defensive line during the first hours of combat."
The Israeli army has
come under heavy criticism from Palestinians and human rights groups, who say
its investigations rarely result in punishment.
Kibbutz residents gave
the report a mixed reception, expressing anger over the army's failures that
day but also appreciation that it took responsibility.
Meir Zarbiv, a resident
whose brother and sister were both killed on Oct. 7, called the report a
"deception" by the army. "I don't believe the report, and I
don't believe anything about it," he said.
He said he still cannot
understand the delays in arriving and entering the kibbutz. "I just don't
believe what happened here. I have no explanation," he said. "Where
was the army?"
In a statement, the
community called the investigation "thorough" and said it helped them
understand the complexity of the fighting that day.
"We see great
importance in the army accepting the blame and responsibility for its complete
failure to protect us and in asking for forgiveness for abandoning us for many
hours during an attack of unmatched evil," it said.
The kibbutz also called
for an official state commission of inquiry into the broader failures of Oct. 7
"so the unimaginable loss we experienced will never against be experienced
by any other citizen."
The surprise
cross-border raid killed some 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took
250 others hostage, in the deadliest attack in Israel's 76-year history. The
attack, in which several thousand militants stormed across the border without
resistance, revealed grave shortcomings in the army's readiness, its
intelligence assessments and policies set by political leaders toward Gaza.
An Israeli offensive
launched in response to the attack has killed over 38,000 Palestinians,
according to local health authorities, displaced over 80% of the territory's
people and triggered a humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Israel is now facing war
crimes and genocide allegations in international courts.
The army has launched
multiple investigations into the failures of Oct. 7, and the head of military
intelligence has resigned. Several other commanders have apologized and taken
responsibility for their failures.
But Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected repeated calls for an official state
investigation, even as the war enters its 10th month.
Netanyahu has said an
investigation cannot be conducted while the country is focused on its war
against Hamas and says all questions will be answered at the appropriate time.
But critics accuse the Israeli leader of dragging his feet to avoid what will almost
certainly be harsh criticism of his policies and leadership.
At a military ceremony
Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the time has come to
launch a state commission of inquiry to look into the country's leadership.
"It needs to check me, the minister of defense. It needs to check the
prime minister."
In the face of fierce
international criticism, Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until
destroying Hamas' military and governing capabilities and the roughly 120
hostages remaining in Gaza return home. Tens of thousands of Israelis have
taken to the streets in weekly protests calling on Netanyahu to reach an
immediate cease-fire, saying time is running out to bring the hostages home
safely.
International mediators
have launched renewed efforts to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
Netanyahu announced
Thursday that he would send a team of negotiators to Cairo to continue
cease-fire talks, but he reiterated his stance that he will not halt the war
until Israel achieves its war objectives.
He was interrupted by
hecklers at the same military ceremony when he vowed to continue the war
"until victory, even if it takes time."
As he spoke, a small
crowd began to chant "shame."
End/UNB/AP/SU