A civilian commission investigating the events surrounding October 7, 2023, has released a scathing report accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government of failing to protect Israeli citizens.
The commission, chaired by retired judge Varda Alsheikh, found that both the government and security agencies failed to heed warnings and prepare adequately, concluding the disaster "was not an act of fate but could have been dramatically minimized."
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Members of the civilian commission of inquiry into the Oct. 7 massacre present their findings
(Photo: Yariv Katz)
The report criticizes Netanyahu for ignoring intelligence warnings and fostering a societal rift that weakened national resilience. It also accuses his government of bolstering Hamas by funding Gaza’s rulers while failing to develop a coherent national security strategy.
The IDF and Shin Bet were also faulted for intelligence and operational failures, particularly their inability to prepare for an attack on border communities despite prior indications.
Hamas terrorists during the massacre of October 7
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Hamas terrorists take down the border fence between Gaza and Israel during the Oct. 7 massacre
The inquiry also highlighted the continued toll of the war, noting that over 800 IDF soldiers and hundreds of civilians have died, with 101 civilians still held hostage in Gaza. It called for an independent state commission of inquiry to investigate the failings further, emphasizing that Netanyahu and his ministers refused to testify before the civilian panel.
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The commission’s findings pointed to systemic issues, including the lack of communication between police and military forces ahead of the Nova music festival massacre and failures in managing displaced communities after the attack. Despite allocating budgets for shelters in vulnerable areas, 50% of Israelis still lack adequate protection, it noted.
Netanyahu has yet to respond to the findings, which directly hold him and his government responsible for the devastating consequences of October 7.