The decision not to brace for a possible assault was made by ‘wide consensus’ across the Military Intelligence Directorate and the broader army.
The Israel Defense Forces detected preparations for Hamas rocket fire and other “unusual activity” in the Gaza Strip on the eve of the Oct. 7, 2023 cross-border massacre but decided not to raise the alert level, according to intelligence documents cited by Ynet on Thursday.
The decision not to brace for a possible assault was made by “wide consensus” across the Military Intelligence Directorate and the broader army, according to the report. This was part of an attempt to avoid burning sources, amid other “calming indications” suggesting that Hamas was merely preparing an exercise.
The information was reportedly included in official records seen by top government and security officials and presented in their arguments in favor of the resignation of IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.