A recent media report has shed light on the Israeli army's state of preparedness and response during the October 7 attack by Hamas, portraying a scenario of being undermanned and poorly organized. According to The New York Times, the Israeli military faced significant challenges during the attack, with soldiers resorting to impromptu WhatsApp groups and relying on social media platforms like Telegram and news reports for targeting information.
The report highlighted deficiencies in organization and strategy, revealing that soldiers were ill-equipped for sustained combat, and helicopter pilots were directed to base their targeting decisions on external sources such as news reports and social media channels.
Interviews with current and former military personnel exposed lapses in preparedness, indicating a lack of response plan or training for a substantial attack by Hamas. The report depicted a situation where soldiers had to navigate the circumstances as they unfolded, lacking a structured protocol or strategy.
The Israeli army declined to provide detailed responses to the newspaper's inquiries, aside from a statement emphasizing their focus on defeating Hamas.
This report underscores significant shortcomings in the Israeli military's readiness and response strategies during the attack, highlighting the need for comprehensive preparedness and organized protocols for handling such critical situations in the future.
(With Agency Inputs)
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