Report: Israeli Gaza Division Warned of Hamas Attack 3 Weeks Before Oct. 7

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JUN 18 2024

Above: Protestors hold up placards featuring the faces of some of those believed to be being held hostage in Gaza by Hamas, as they hold a rally outside the London offices of the Red Cross, on November 09, 2023 in London, England. Image copyright: Leon Neil/Staff/Getty Images Europe via Getty Imagesstory last updated JUN 20 2024

The Facts

Israel's Kan public broadcaster reported on Monday that the Israeli army's Gaza Division had compiled a document three weeks before Hamas' Oct. 7 attack detailing how the group planned to break through the border fence and take 200-250 hostages.
The document also reportedly detailed exercises conducted by elite Hamas units — including simulated raids on military posts and kibbutzim and abduction of soldiers and civilians — with detailed guidance on handling hostages once in Gaza.
According to anonymous security sources, senior intelligence officials — at least within the Gaza Division — were aware of the document, which was reportedly circulated on Sept. 19. The Israeli government and top military leaders have contended they were not aware of an imminent attack at the time.

The Spin

Left narrative

It should be obvious that the person most responsible for Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. For Israeli society to move forward and effectively confront the existential terrorist threat that Hamas poses, Netanyahu must finally take responsibility for his failures. Though he may try to blame the military, even Netanyahu himself is aware that his destructive policies caused the security failures of Oct. 7.

Haaretz.com

Right narrative

Though Netanyahu obviously made a mistake by not seeing just how atrocious Hamas could be, the military and security apparatus at large are primarily to blame for Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre. Indeed, the fact that the military is frantically trying to avoid an investigation indicates that it is aware of its responsibility for Oct. 7. The left is trying to scapegoat Netanyahu for the military's failures.

Jerusalem Post

Pro-Palestine narrative

Regardless of the bickering among Israel's political elite regarding security failures, one must remember that none of this began on Oct. 7. Israel was founded at the expense of the Palestinian people, and now, since Oct. 7, this tendency has moved toward genocide. Israeli forces killed hundreds of Palestinians in the West Bank in the months leading up to Oct. 7, yet this is systematically ignored in mainstream discourse. The only way to end this conflict is to end the occupation.

JVP