A storm of controversy has erupted within the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Southern Command, as competing narratives emerge over who bears responsibility for the catastrophic events of October 7, 2023. This public clash has intensified scrutiny on the command’s handling of pre-attack intelligence and operational decisions, casting a shadow over Israel’s military leadership.

A Clash of Titans: Finkleman vs. Avni

According to Israeli news Channel 12, a bitter feud has flared between IDF Southern Command Chief Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkleman and Operations Chief Col. Efraim Avni. This battle is emblematic of broader internal struggles as the IDF and Israel’s political establishment attempt to assign blame for the tragic attack. Avni’s promotion was frozen in November, further complicating the relationship between the two senior officers.

The latest revelations allege that Avni urged Finkleman in the early hours of October 7 to summon all IDF southern battalion commanders back to their posts at 3:00 a.m., anticipating an emergency. Finkleman dismissed this recommendation both at 3:00 a.m. and again an hour later. Despite his superior’s decision, Avni returned to his post on an emergency basis, taking proactive steps to address the unfolding threat. Meanwhile, Finkleman also ended his vacation to return to duty but reportedly underestimated the scale of the looming attack.

The story of the abandoned unarmed female IDF soldiers at the Nahal Oz base is one of a tragedy that could've been avoided. They were the proverbial canaries in the coal mine, their warnings going unheeded.

_BiancaZanini's in-depth look into one of Oct 7's most painful failures pic.twitter.com/JrsghLvXpR

— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) October 7, 2024

The “Jericho Walls” Document: A Missed Alarm

Central to the controversy is a 40-page Arabic-language document, which Israeli intelligence codenamed “Jericho Walls,” which was first reported by The New York Times in November 2023. Obtained by Unit 8200 in April 2022, this document, thought to have been created in October of 2021, outlined Hamas’s meticulously planned assault, which was executed with devastating precision on October 7. The plan detailed a multi-pronged attack: a massive rocket barrage, drone strikes on border defenses, and waves of gunmen infiltrating Israel via paragliders, motorcycles, and foot.

Despite the document’s alarming specificity, IDF intelligence officers dismissed it, doubting Hamas’s capabilities or willingness to carry out such an operation. This assessment proved disastrously wrong. The document was seen by key intelligence and Southern Command figures, including Aharon Haliva, Yossi Sariel, and Avi Rosenfeld, but was inexplicably withheld from senior IDF and political leaders, including Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Intelligence Failures and Command Blind Spots

The “Jericho Walls” fiasco underscores systemic failures within Israeli intelligence. While IAF Chief Tomer Bar reportedly expressed concerns over insufficient intelligence from Gaza, these warnings went unheeded. Meetings were held with Unit 8200 to address these gaps, yet even then, the damning document was not disclosed.

🇵🇸🇮🇱 "ISRAEL KNEW HAMAS'S ATTACK PLAN MORE THAN A YEAR AGO" - NYT

"The approximately 40-page document, which the Israeli authorities code-named “Jericho Wall,” outlined, point by point, exactly the kind of devastating invasion that led to the deaths of about 1,200 people."

WOW… pic.twitter.com/KY3omoTSRg

— Censored Men (@CensoredMen) December 1, 2023

Former IDF intelligence chief Aharon Ze’evi-Farkash has criticized the dismissal of the document, stating, “It needed to be thoroughly checked.” This failure has cast a harsh light on decisions made by top defense officials, including Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, who did not reinforce the border despite mounting evidence of a potential large-scale attack.

Political Intrigue and Frozen Promotions

The fallout from October 7 has extended beyond the IDF to Israel’s political leadership. Allegations have surfaced that aides to Prime Minister Netanyahu altered records regarding what he knew and when, further muddying the waters. Netanyahu himself has resisted calls for an independent probe, blocking its initiation for 15 months.

‘I will always carry the pain’: IDF intel chief Aharon Haliva resigns over Oct. 7 failure #Israel #intelligence #October7massacre https://t.co/4usPPDQEoX [timesofisrael] pic.twitter.com/9H7mxSSRmR

— Eli Dror (@edrormba) April 22, 2024

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz froze Col. Avni’s promotion pending the outcome of investigations into his actions on October 7. Some see this as retribution, while others believe Avni is attempting to rehabilitate his image by highlighting his efforts to preempt the disaster.

Controversial Figures and Unauthorized Actions

Adding to the turmoil, Avni was rebuked for bringing Rabbi Zvi Kustener into Gaza in November without authorization. Kustener, a polarizing figure due to his anti-LGBT statements, has been barred from public engagements with IDF forces. This incident has drawn parallels to the unauthorized presence of civilian archaeologist Zeev “Jabo” Erlich in a Lebanon war zone, where he was tragically killed alongside a soldier.

Newly surfaced document shows Israel knew of October 7th plans weeks ahead of time, failed to act.

Follow: @AFpost pic.twitter.com/pGuea0kdrn

— AF Post (@AFpost) June 17, 2024

The Struggle for Accountability

The October 7 tragedy remains a searing wound for Israel, and the search for accountability is far from over. The competing narratives from within the IDF Southern Command reflect deeper structural issues and a reluctance to confront hard truths. As investigations continue, the hope is that lessons will be learned to prevent such a calamity from ever occurring again.

In the meantime, the public battle between Maj. Gen. Finkleman and Col. Avni has become a microcosm of the broader struggle to reconcile intelligence failures, operational misjudgments, and political obfuscation. The legacy of October 7 will likely shape Israeli military and political decision-making for years to come.