ALBAWABA - Despite significant military training to simulate Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades' "Al-Aqsa Flood" offensive, Israeli media sources highlighted the army's weaknesses on October 7.
According to Al Jazeera, Channel 12 of Israel reported that the General Staff inspected Gaza Division bases 72 hours before Hamas' surprise strike. Exercises included division military installations.
One military site, "Yiftah," avoided a failing mark, while other sites failed to defend military locations during training exercises.
Training exercises included resisting unauthorised infantry or vehicular incursions, seizing ammo depot weapons, assaulting control rooms, and securing armament rooms. After the "Nahal Oz" military facility assault, 54 soldiers were killed and 10 were captured, some of whom are still in Hamas' captivity.
Major Shlomi Bandar's selection as the Army's Intelligence Department (Aman) commander has prompted worries regarding his professional standing in light of the October 7 incident.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resisted Chief of Staff Herzl Halivi's recent call for a thorough strategic debate on all fronts to develop a long-term plan. Security agencies' operational planning is affected by this hesitancy.
Israeli security authorities have seen a gap between tactical and strategic results, questioning present methods.
Former Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon replied to right-wing criticism by citing cabinet differences as a barrier to decisive action and favouring military administration and Jewish settlement in Gaza.
Orit Struck, Minister of Settlements and National Missions, recently questioned the government's priorities, saying a state sending troops into war for a few people is unjust.
