Israeli Army admits failure in response to Hamas attack

The Israeli army has acknowledged a "complete failure" in its military and intelligence response to Hamas' surprise attack on October 7, 2023. An investigation revealed that the army underestimated Hamas, believing it was more focused on governing Gaza than engaging in conflict with Israel. The report indicates that Hamas had over 60 routes for the attack, far exceeding the army's expectations of eight. The planning for the offensive reportedly began in 2017, catching Israeli forces off guard as militants breached security measures and targeted various locations. Army chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi has taken responsibility for the failures and announced his resignation. The findings may increase pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the military's miscalculations and the political decisions leading up to the attack.