A surprise audit of Israel’s northern border defenses three months before Hamas’ October 7 attack revealed serious security gaps according to a partially declassified state comptroller report released on Tuesday.
The audit, which examined the military’s Northern Command operations along the Lebanese border, highlighted vulnerabilities that now serve as a “warning sign regarding the defense of Israel’s borders,” State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman said.
The report also raises questions about who was aware of the Israel Defense Force’s security gaps and when.
“The flash inspection took place on July 10, 2023, and the draft report was sent to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, and the IDF for their response. The IDF’s response to the draft report was received on September 27, 2023, a week and a half before the outbreak of the ‘Iron Swords’ war,” Englman’s report noted.