Israeli Military Fires Senior Commanders After Internal Probe Into October 2023 Hamas Attack

The Israeli military has taken unprecedented disciplinary action following months of rising public pressure and extensive internal investigations into the October 2023 Hamas assault—the deadliest attack in Israel’s history. In a significant move signalling institutional accountability, the military announced the dismissal of three generals and the disciplining of several senior officers for what has been described as a sweeping failure across multiple levels of command.

The announcement marks one of the most consequential personnel shake-ups in years within the Israeli military, underscoring the magnitude of the failures identified. The list of dismissed officers includes three divisional commanders, among them a general who previously served as the chief of military intelligence. According to the official statement, all three officers “bear personal responsibility” for their roles in failing to detect, prevent, and respond effectively to the devastating Hamas attack launched from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023.

Although the generals had already resigned from their positions in the months following the attack, the Israeli  military’s decision to formally dismiss them is symbolic. It reflects growing public expectation that senior officials—not only frontline officers—must be held accountable for what many Israelis view as a historic and avoidable security breach.

Israeli Military Leadership Faces Consequences After Internal Review

The disciplinary actions extend beyond the three dismissed generals. The head of the Navy and the head of the Air Force also face internal sanctions, along with four additional generals and several senior officers across different commands. The breadth of the punishments highlights the depth of organisational failures uncovered in the months-long inquiry.

This wave of disciplinary steps comes two weeks after the military’s chief, Eyal Zamir, publicly called for a “systemic investigation” into the failures that allowed the Hamas assault to unfold with such devastating effect. Zamir’s call was in stark contrast to the Israeli government’s more cautious approach. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration has faced criticism for delaying the establishment of a state commission of inquiry, despite widespread calls from political leaders, civil society groups, and families of victims.

With no independent national commission yet underway, the internal review conducted by the Israeli military has become the most comprehensive official examination to date. The military leadership has emphasised that accountability is essential to restoring public trust and strengthening national preparedness.

In November, a committee of expert investigators appointed by military chief Zamir released a detailed report summarising the results of the internal probe. The findings were described as “severe” and pointed to an array of failures that spanned intelligence, operations, leadership, and decision-making.

The report concluded that the Israeli military had suffered from a “long-standing systemic and organisational failure.” This included intelligence units failing to interpret or act upon multiple high-quality warnings—even though, according to investigators, the army had access to “exceptional, high-quality information” suggesting that Hamas was planning a large-scale operation.

One of the most alarming conclusions was the military’s “inability to raise the alarm”, despite receiving signals that in hindsight appear unmistakable. The intelligence shortcomings were compounded by operational missteps, including misjudging the scale of the threat, failing to mobilise units quickly enough, and deploying forces inadequately on the night of the attack.

The probe further criticised decision-making processes, describing them as inefficient and poorly coordinated. Investigators noted that several command centres failed to communicate swiftly during the early stages of the assault, which began with mass infiltration, rocket fire, and coordinated attacks on Israeli towns and military installations.

The October 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of more than a thousand people and shook Israel’s sense of security to its core. The Hamas assault penetrated multiple layers of border defences, catching the military off guard and overwhelming response units in several areas.

The disciplinary actions announced this week represent one of the most significant moments of reckoning for the Israeli military since the Yom Kippur War. Analysts say the decisions could reshape military culture, strengthen intelligence reforms, and lead to long-term restructuring of operational divisions.

Military chief Eyal Zamir has repeatedly stated that the institution must learn from the failures—however painful—and ensure that such an intelligence and operational collapse “never happens again.”

Despite the military’s internal disciplinary steps, calls for a state commission of inquiry remain strong. Critics argue that only an independent, government-led investigation has the authority to examine political decision-making, policy failures, and civilian intelligence lapses that fall outside the military’s jurisdiction.

For now, the internal actions taken by the Israeli military mark a crucial step toward accountability. But for many Israelis, the process is only just beginning.

Source- EWN