Israeli security agency acknowledges failure in preventing October 7 Hamas attack

Israel's domestic security agency Shin Bet acknowledged on Tuesday its failure in preventing Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, saying that if it had acted differently the deadliest day in Israel's history could have been averted.

The Internal Security Agency, as it is formally known, said that an internal probe "reveals that if the Shin Bet had acted differently, both in the years leading up to the attack and on the night of the attack... the massacre could have been prevented".

In the opening lines of the summary of findings shared with the media, the agency's chief Ronen Bar takes responsiblity for failures, saying that "as the head of the organisation, I will bear this heavy burden on my shoulders for the rest of my life".

However, he added that in order to truly understand how the unprecedented attack was not stopped, there needed to be a broader probe into the role of Israel's security and political elements and the cooperation between them.

According to the summary, the investigation focused on two key areas the direct reasons that led to the Shin Bet failing to recognise the immediate threat from Hamas, and the developments preceding the attack.

It noted that "the investigation found no indication that the Shin Bet underestimated the enemy", Palestinian militant group Hamas.

"On the contrary, there was a deep understanding of the threat, initiatives, and a desire to neutralise the threat, particularly targeting Hamas leadership," the summary said.

The investigation found that prior knowledge of a Hamas attack plan was not treated as an "actionable threat" and there was an overarching assessment that Hamas was more focused on "inciting violence" in the occupied West Bank.

Additionally, the investigation found that "a policy of quiet had enabled Hamas to undergo massive military buildup," with financial aid from Qatar going directly to Hamas's military wing.

In conclusion, the agency said in its summary, "the Shin Bet failed to provide a warning regarding the scope of the attack and the large-scale raid by Hamas" that sparked months of war in Gaza.

"The warning issued on the night of October 7 was not translated into operational directives, and the response given by the Shin Bet... was insufficient to prevent or thwart the large scale attack".