In a notable development amid ongoing conflict, Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, has initiated a comprehensive review of its operations concerning the events leading up to and including the devastating attack on October 7, as reported by the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth's online newspaper. This marks the first occasion since the commencement of hostilities in Gaza that Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar has mandated an in-depth examination of the agency's performance, aligning with similar endeavors already underway by the IDF and scrutinized by the state comptroller.
The initiation of this internal probe underscores a commitment to accountability and improvement, reflecting a broader institutional introspection within Israel's defense mechanisms. According to Shin Bet sources, the unique timing of these investigations, amidst active military engagements, suggests a protracted review process, extending potentially over weeks or even months. Concurrently, State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman is aggregating information from Shin Bet to support his comprehensive inquiry.
Reporting #Israel and #Hamas:
ā Millitary Nerd (@MilitaryNerdd) March 7, 2024
Yedioth Ahronoth Hebrew newspaper:
Israeli General Security Service, the Shin Bet, launched operational investigations in an attempt to understand how the necessary warning was not received before the surprise attack launched by Hamas on October 7.
This investigative thrust by Shin Bet is multifaceted, focusing on a series of crucial lapses and missed signals leading up to the October 7 assault. Key areas of scrutiny include the failure to adequately interpret alerts of an impending Hamas operation, overlooked indicators of an imminent attack, the misuse of Israeli SIM cards by Hamas operatives to facilitate the assault, and the absence of timely intelligence from within Hamas ranks.
In the lead-up to the fateful day, a pivotal meeting convened by IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, involving senior military figures, failed to forestall the tragedy, despite growing unease within the intelligence community. Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar, acknowledging the gravity of the oversight, has personally underscored the necessity of these investigations, candidly admitting the agency's shortfall in preempting the attack.
Shin Bet follows IDF and begins inquiry into 10/7 failureshttps://t.co/DsniUJwTIk
ā David Hazony (@davidhazony) March 7, 2024
As these inquiries unfold, Shin Bet's introspective endeavor aims not only to dissect the failures of October 7 but to fortify Israel's intelligence and security posture against future threats. This rigorous process of self-examination and correction is a testament to Israel's unwavering commitment to safeguarding its citizens and addressing any vulnerabilities in its security apparatus.
