Israel's Comptroller Initiates Probe Into Failure to Prevent October 7 Hamas Attack

The State Comptroller of Israel is set to launch an investigation into the "multi-system failures" within the government's security apparatus that resulted in the October 7 Hamas attack. The attack claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis and left 240 as hostages. Matanyahu Englman, the state comptroller, emphasized a thorough examination of personal responsibility at all levels, including policy, military, and civilian aspects.

The inquiry will cover the actions of the government's security cabinet, policymakers, and the military, assessing intelligence readiness before October 7. It will also scrutinize the defense posture on the Gaza border, preparedness of civilian security squads in the Gaza border region before the war, funding sources for Hamas, and the lack of equipment for IDF soldiers, as reported by the Times of Israel.

In addressing the severity of the incident and its ongoing implications, Englman stressed the moral and ethical duty to those affected, including the fallen, wounded, kidnapped, and soldiers who risked their lives. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, has declined to accept responsibility for the alleged failure to detect the attack, stating that he will address questions of responsibility after the war.

Various Israeli officials, including IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Military Intelligence Chief Aharon Haliva, Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, former Defense Minister Benny Gantz, and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, have taken responsibility for the failure to detect the attack. Netanyahu, who previously claimed to have been informed by the intelligence community that "Hamas is deterred," later deleted the post and apologized. The state comptroller's investigation aims to shed light on the complex web of failures across different sectors of the government's security apparatus.

(With Agency Inputs)