By Eric Vandenbroeck and co-workers

October Seven Revisited

The Israel Defense Force’s top-tier investigations into its failures on and ahead of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, terror onslaught are inadequate, with some considered to be unacceptable, a panel of former senior military officers has determined.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said on Monday that while the military was fully responsible for the failures on October 7, to reach full conclusions, an “external” commission of inquiry must be established, something that the government has resisted forming for over two years. Zamir notably avoided calling for a state commission of inquiry, which the government opposes, despite surveys consistently showing an overwhelming majority of the public supports it.

Zamir also said that he would make “personal decisions” regarding senior officers based on the findings of the external panel of experts, including potential dismissal from the military.

The findings of the panel of experts were presented on Monday, November 10 to the IDF’s top brass, a day after Defense Minister Israel Katz was also shown the conclusions. Reporters were also shown the findings on Monday.

The IDF’s October 7 investigations were led by former chief of staff Herzi Halevi. In one of his first decisions upon entering the role in March, Zamir appointed the external panel to further examine those probes.

The panel was tasked with evaluating the IDF’s top-level investigations, overseeing implementation of findings, and recommending repeat investigations or additions to probes if necessary.

Maj. Gen. (res.) Sami Turgeman, a former head of the Southern Command, headed the panel, which included ex-Navy chief Vice Adm. (res.) Eli Sharvit, ex-IAF chief Maj. Gen. (res.) Amikam Norkin, and other retired senior officers.

 

 

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