IDF acknowledges failure in preventing Hamas attack

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has acknowledged a significant failure in security during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. An internal investigation revealed that the IDF was unprepared and focused on threats from Iran and Hezbollah, overlooking Hamas. The inquiry found that around 5,600 Hamas militants infiltrated Israel, resulting in 1,320 deaths and 251 hostages. The IDF's defensive strategies, including a costly barrier, were ineffective against the scale of the attack, which took the military by surprise. Despite unusual signs of an impending attack, the IDF did not act decisively. The Israeli government has declined calls for a formal inquiry, citing the ongoing conflict, while critics accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of evading accountability.