Israeli Army Chief Blames Government Policies for Failing to Prevent Hamas Attack on 7 October 2023

A deep rift inside Israel’s power structure has surfaced as the military and government trade accusations over who is responsible for failing to prevent Hamas’ unprecedented 7 October 2023 assault.

According to international media, the tension came to light after a sharp exchange between Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. The disagreement highlights widening mistrust between Israel’s political and military leadership.

In comments attached to a recently circulated military investigative summary, Lt. Gen. Zamir said the failure to stop the attack cannot be blamed solely on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He argued that successive governments—especially under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—enabled Hamas to strengthen by allowing Qatari funds to flow into Gaza for years in hopes of maintaining calm.

Zamir termed this strategy a “grave mistake,” saying it allowed Hamas to build significant military capabilities, which were fully displayed during the devastating 7 October assault.

The army chief also revealed that the IDF repeatedly warned government officials throughout 2023 that Israel’s internal political chaos—particularly the crisis over judicial reforms—was signaling weakness to its enemies. However, neither the political leadership nor the military adjusted alert levels or deployments accordingly.

The report further notes that previous military operations, especially the 2014 Gaza war, created a false sense of security that Hamas would avoid attacking Israel directly. As a result, no decisive operational plans were prepared, and some ongoing plans were even abandoned.

Zamir has once again demanded the formation of an independent national commission—similar to the inquiry after the 1973 Yom Kippur War—to fully investigate political, military, and policy failures behind the 7 October catastrophe.

On the other hand, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant rejected the army’s conclusion, insisting the responsibility lies entirely with the military and intelligence agencies. He has announced a separate inquiry led by officials from his own ministry rather than former military officers.

This competing investigation has deepened divisions within Israel’s leadership, with the army chief repeatedly ignoring or openly challenging the defense minister’s directives in recent months.

The political-military clash suggests internal turmoil continues to grip Israel more than two years after the deadly 2023 attack.