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<a class="gmail-domain gmail-reader-domain" href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hamas-operation-to-be-remembered-as-israeli-intel-failure-fo">english.almayadeen.net</a>
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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">Hamas operation to be remembered as Israeli intel failure 'for ages'</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">Al Mayadeen English - October 7, 2023<br></div>
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<div class="gmail-moz-reader-content gmail-reader-show-element"><div id="gmail-readability-page-1" class="gmail-page"><p>Several
Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, faced
open criticism on social media and other platforms over this massive
failure.</p><img src="cid:ii_lngbikz80" alt="eea64f2e-39ed-4f40-9fb0-d5d6d3e03a48.jpg" width="399" height="266"><br><div><ul id="gmail-content-slick-0"><div aria-hidden="false"><li><a href="https://media-en.almayadeen.net/archive/image/2023/10/7/eea64f2e-39ed-4f40-9fb0-d5d6d3e03a48.jpg" tabindex="0"><img src="https://media-en.almayadeen.net/archive/image/2023/10/7/eea64f2e-39ed-4f40-9fb0-d5d6d3e03a48.jpg?preset=w800" alt="ap" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img"></a>
Rockets are fired toward "Israel" from the Gaza Strip,
Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. The rockets were fired as Hamas announced a new
operation against "Israel" (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
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<p>Writer Peter Beaumont<em> </em>on Saturday described Hamas's operation against "Israel" as a major intelligence failure "for the ages," he writes for <em>The Guardian</em>, adding that the retaliation coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur war.</p>
<p>According to Beaumont, the reason why this particular operation is
surprising is because "Israel's" surveillance of Palestine is not only
exceptionally advanced but also deeply intrusive. Surveilling Hamas's
activities particularly stands out as one of the most critical
objectives for the security establishment.</p>
<h2>How advanced is "Israel's" surveillance activities?</h2>
<p>Whistleblowers from the IOF's Cyberwarfare 8200 Unit, as disclosed to
various media outlets in 2014, detailed the extensive efforts to
identify potential informants in the occupied Palestinian territories.
They were instructed to target individuals facing financial or health
difficulties and those vulnerable due to sexual misconduct.</p>
<p>Similar methods were applied during entry and exit interviews for
Palestinians allowed to leave the coastal strip. Additionally,
intelligence efforts were directed toward members of militant groups in
Israeli prisons.</p>
<p><strong>Read more: <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/the-spoils-of-operation-al-aqsa-flood-on-display-in-gazas-st">The spoils of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on display in Gaza's streets</a></strong></p>
<p>Given "Israel's" advanced surveillance technology, including the
Pegasus spyware scandal, the fact that they were unaware of Hamas's
planned operation is particularly astonishing.</p>
<p>Hamas has displayed an increased ability to adapt to military
challenges and meticulously plan its operations, which is
well-recognized by the IOF.</p>
<p>Despite previous knowledge of Hamas developing independent
communication networks and military strategies, this recent operation
suggests a higher level of operational security, unprecedented in
previous conflicts, Beaumont believes.</p>
<p>Some observers argue that Hamas likely used deception and
simultaneous attacks, including rockets and infiltrations, to create
maximum chaos.</p>
<p>However, it's evident that there were missed signs of preparation at various stages, including planning and stockpiling.</p>
<h2>Unpreparedness</h2>
<p>The most critical oversight occurred in the immediate lead-up to the
Hamas retaliation when resistance fighters gathered near the border,
despite the presence of regular patrols, cameras, ground motion sensors,
and remote-controlled weaponry that had been effective in thwarting
past border incursions.</p>
<p>This implies that the operation required extensive and well-concealed
preparations, similar to previous surprise infiltration attacks by
Hamas, including tunnel-based incursions into "Israel."</p>
<p>Notably, Israeli occupation forces and intelligence agencies failed
to recognize recent incidents involving Hamas as a prelude to war.</p>
<p><strong>Read more: <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/netanyahu-says-israel-at-war-hamas-initiated-surprise-attack">Netanyahu says 'Israel' at war, Hamas initiated 'surprise attack'</a></strong></p>
<p>Even as clashes persisted with Hamas resistance fighters in southern
settler communities, the Israeli media questioned how such a situation
could unfold on the 50th anniversary of the October 1973 War, which
itself was remembered as a significant intelligence failure when
"Israel" faced an attack from an Arab coalition.</p>
<p>"All of Israel is asking itself: Where is the [IOF], where is the
police, where is the security?" asked Eli Maron, the former head of the
Israeli navy, on live television. "It’s a colossal failure; the
hierarchies have simply failed, with vast consequences."</p>
<p>Several Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,
faced open criticism on social media and other platforms over this
massive failure. The silence from officials was only broken when
Security Minister Yoav Gallant made an appearance.</p>
<h2>A decisive moment for "Israel"</h2>
<p>This attack coincides with a period of significant social upheaval in
"Israel." Netanyahu's far-right government, featuring individuals in
cabinet positions with controversial backgrounds, has exacerbated
tensions in the occupied territories. Netanyahu's divisive conflict over
his plans to weaken the country's supreme court, coupled with his
ongoing legal proceedings for corruption allegations, has dominated
public discourse and led many reservists to threaten to withhold their
service.</p>
<p>When Netanyahu eventually spoke, he conveyed a sense of profound
disturbance within the Israeli political and security establishment. He
refrained from characterizing the situation as merely an "operation" or a
"round" of fighting, instead labeling it as a state of war.</p>
<p><strong>Read more: <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-media-acknowledge-massive-intelligence-failure">Israeli media acknowledge massive intelligence failure</a></strong></p></div></div></div>
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