Israeli authorities had known about Hamas’ attack plans for at least a year, but decided to discard them because they considered them too complicated to carry out, according to The New York Times.
According to the newspaper, The document did not set a date for the attack, but described a methodical assault designed to level the fortifications around the Gaza Strip.take Israeli cities and assault key military bases,
Specifically, the 40-page plan, codenamed ‘Jericho Wall’, contemplated the use of drones to destroy security cameras along the border with the Gaza Strip, or the massive entry of militants. on foot, by motorcycle and using paragliders, although he insists, he did not establish a date for the operation.
The plan also included details on the location and size of Israeli military forces, communication centers and other sensitive informationraising questions about how Hamas gathered its intelligence and whether there were leaks within the Israeli security system.
The document also detailed rocket attacks to distract Israeli soldiers and send them rushing to bunkers, and drones to disable elaborate security measures along the border fence separating Israel and Gaza.
Hamas fighters would then break through 60 points of the wall and cross the border into Israel. The document begins with a quote from the Quran: “Surprise them through the door. If you do so, you will certainly prevail.”
The same phrase has been widely used by Hamas in its videos and statements since October 7.
Additionally, the newspaper stressed that the document was widely circulated among Israeli military and intelligence leaders, but experts determined that an attack of that scale and ambition was beyond Hamas’ capabilities, according to documents and officials. It is unclear whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or other senior political leaders also saw the document.
According to analysts, The Hamas attack was the bloodiest episode in Israel’s history and led Netanyahu to declare war on the group and launch an offensive on the Gaza Strip that has already claimed the lives of more than 15,000 people.
In addition, it was highlighted that just three months before the attacks, a veteran analyst from Unit 8200Israel’s signals intelligence agency, warned that Hamas had carried out an intense, day-long training exercise that appeared similar to what was outlined in the plan.
Although the Israeli government has not commented on the matter, The New York Times reports that officials privately admit that, if the military had taken these warnings seriously and redirected significant reinforcements to the south, where Hamas attacked, Israel could have mitigated the attacks or even possibly prevented them.
Instead, The Israeli army was not prepared when the terrorists left the Gaza Strip.
Israeli security officials have already acknowledged their failure to protect the country and the government is expected to assemble a commission to study the events that led to the attacks.
*With information from The New York Times
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