IDF Investigates the October 7 Failure: Harsh Lessons and Insights for the Future

On October 7, 2023, Israel awoke to a large-scale surprise attack by Hamas, which overwhelmed the Gaza Division within hours and led to a spree of murders, kidnappings, and destruction in the border communities and the south. A summary of a comprehensive IDF investigation, conducted under the directive of Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi since November 2023, now reveals the scale of the failure and the lessons learned after 16 months of intense fighting.

The document, based on four General Staff investigations and 41 battle debriefings, relies on tens of thousands of materials, testimonies, and recordings, presenting a sober picture of the failures—and the path to correction. The full investigations are expected to be published on the IDF website in the coming months.

The investigation determines that the IDF failed to protect Israeli civilians, as the attack caught the military completely by surprise. Hamas took control of towns and roads, and control was only restored by midday, thanks to the bravery of soldiers, commanders, and civilians who at times fought alone against a ruthless enemy.

The price was heavy: deaths, injuries, kidnappings, and civilians displaced from their homes. However, the prolonged fighting inflicted severe damage on Hamas, eliminated its leadership, and significantly impacted Hezbollah as well as targets in Iran and Yemen, creating the potential for a positive strategic shift.

According to the investigation, the central failure stemmed from misguided perceptions that guided the political and military leadership for years. Israel focused on "conflict management" with Hamas, under the mistaken assumption that the organization was deterred and uninterested in war. Hamas exploited this through sophisticated deception, systematically preparing for the attack.

The Israeli intelligence failed to identify Hamas’s intentions and capabilities, and on the night of October 6–7, unusual signs were not interpreted as a warning of war. The situational picture remained incomplete, and preparedness was based on limited scenarios rather than the reality that unfolded.

The containment effort revealed a collapse in command and control, and gaps in situational awareness delayed the response. However, the rapid deployment of forces, along with local initiatives by soldiers and civilians, broke the attack. The air force and navy contributed to prevention and disruption efforts, but the difficulty in distinguishing between terrorists and civilians underscored the complexity of combat in civilian areas.

The lessons from the investigation are clear: threats must be eliminated rather than conflicts managed with an enemy whose goal is destruction. The IDF must prepare for a large-scale surprise attack, expand its force structure and capabilities, and improve intelligence and civilian defense. The investigation emphasizes the need for a conceptual shift, reinforcing combat values such as courage and direct engagement, along with national mobilization.

While some lessons are already being implemented, the process requires years of correction, alongside recognition of the failure and the imperative to secure the release of the hostages—an irreplaceable mission.

There is no doubt that October 7 exposed a grave failure, but it also revealed the resilience of Israel and its fighters. The investigation is a first step on the path to deep reform, to ensure that such an atrocity never happens again.