Jerusalem, Israel – The recent attack on October 7, 2023, in which Hamas and other militants killed approximately 1,200 Israelis, has been attributed to a combination of factors, including Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies and failures within Israel’s security agency, Shin Bet. Shin Bet, also known as the General Security Service (GSS), admitted to being aware of warning signs of the impending attack but miscalculated the magnitude, timing, and location. Netanyahu’s policies, such as a “policy of quiet” towards Hamas and allowing funds from Qatar to flow to Gaza, were highlighted as contributing factors to the Hamas assault by an eight-page summary of the report released by Shin Bet.
The report also mentioned a controversial issue surrounding Jewish prayers taking place near Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque, violating a long-standing agreement that only Muslims should pray there. Additionally, the treatment of Palestinian prisoners and the perceived societal damage to Israel’s social cohesion were noted as vulnerabilities that led to the attack. Shin Bet explained that despite recognizing the threat of a major attack from Gaza, they failed to adequately respond due to a focus on potential insurgency in the West Bank at the time.
Prior to the attack, Shin Bet raised an alert over the activation of 45 Israeli sim cards by Hamas militants, viewing it as a potential sign of an imminent attack. However, a lack of defensive preparations was partly attributed to a lack of cooperation with army intelligence. This failure to act was criticized by sources close to Netanyahu, who have been critical of the head of Shin Bet, Ronen Bar. Netanyahu recently removed Bar and the Mossad chief, David Barnea, from ceasefire talks, indicative of the growing divide between the prime minister and security agencies over the handling of the conflict.
In the aftermath of the attack, regional tensions have escalated, with conflicting visions for Gaza’s future being proposed. The Arab League endorsed an Egyptian-drafted plan for Gaza’s reconstruction under a technocratic committee of Palestinians, in opposition to Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to take ownership of the territory. Amidst these developments, reports have surfaced of secret talks between the US government and Hamas regarding the release of American hostages in Gaza, complicating the already intricate political landscape.