Israeli authorities obtained a comprehensive battle plan by Hamas for an attack on October 7th more than a year in advance.
This 40-page document, codenamed “Jericho Wall,” detailed a meticulous invasion strategy causing around 1,200 casualties, reported New York Times.
Despite circulating among Israeli military and intelligence leaders, experts deemed the attack beyond Hamas’s capabilities, dismissing it as aspirational.
Even warnings close to the event were downplayed or disregarded, leading to an unprepared Israeli military as the attack unfolded, resulting in the deadliest day in Israel’s history.
The failure to take these warnings seriously and the deep-rooted belief that Hamas lacked the capacity for such an attack led to a cascade of missteps, now regarded as Israel’s worst intelligence failure since the Arab-Israeli war of 1973.
This comprehensive document revealed Hamas’s detailed plan to breach Israeli fortifications, employing rockets, drones, and infiltrating forces.
It highlighted targets such as Israeli military bases, reflecting an audacious yet underestimated blueprint.
Despite prior indications of Hamas’s intent, Israeli officials overlooked the group’s actions, including acquiring sophisticated weaponry and increasing their fighting force significantly.
There were missed opportunities to address and interpret these warning signs accurately.
The document, coupled with later warnings and exercises mirroring the plan, showcased Hamas’s evolving capabilities, narrowing the gap between possibility and aspiration.
Yet, due to ingrained beliefs and misinterpretations, the warnings were not heeded appropriately, leading to an intelligence failure akin to previous historic lapses, notably the U.S. 9/11 attacks.