Unveiling Israel's Perplexing Security Apparatus: How Did Saturday's Attack Slips Through?
Israel's sophisticated border security failed to prevent Saturday's attack as gunmen infiltrated from air, sea, and land They ruthlessly targeted civilians, taking hostages and instilling fear as families barricaded themselves indoors The need for more effective protection is evident
Gunmen infiltrated from multiple directions - air, sea, and land - launching attacks on innocent civilians, taking hostages, and cornering families inside their homes, leaving them fearing for their lives.
What started as a morning filled with the piercing sound of air raid sirens quickly escalated into one of the most horrifying assaults Israel has ever experienced in its 75-year history. By the end of the day, Hamas militants, the controlling force in the densely populated and impoverished Gaza Strip, had mercilessly claimed the lives of hundreds, leaving countless others injured.
Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images
Netanyahu declares Israel in a state of war after Hamas launches a sudden air and ground attack from Gaza. This assault on Saturday was particularly unprecedented for Israel, primarily due to the surprise element. Despite Israel's strong military capabilities and renowned intelligence agency, they were caught off guard by the attack, highlighting the unexpected nature of the incident.
Israeli authorities are facing numerous questions. It has been over 17 years since an Israeli soldier was captured in an assault on Israeli territory, and there has not been an infiltration of military bases, towns, and kibbutzim on this scale since the town-to-town fighting during the 1948 war of independence. How was a terrorist group from one of the world's poorest areas able to carry out such a devastating attack?
"The failure was not limited to one aspect but rather the entire system. The entire defense structure clearly did not provide the necessary protection for Israeli civilians," stated Jonathan Conricus, a former international spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces.
"This moment for Israel can be likened to the Pearl Harbor incident, as it marks a distinct shift from the past to a new reality."
The IDF has been evasive when asked about the possibility of an intelligence failure during the events on Saturday. Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, a military spokesperson, stated that Israel's primary focus is on the ongoing conflict and safeguarding civilian lives.
"Well talk about what happened intelligence-wise after," Hecht said.
Obviously not adequately protected
Israel was taken aback by the attacks, as former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett informed CNN's Fareed Zakaria on Sunday, occurring just a day after the commemoration of a previous unexpected conflict. This incident took place in 1973, when a coalition of Arab states launched a sudden assault on Israel on Yom Kippur, the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar.
"In the realm of military history, there are always significant turn of events - Pearl Harbor, Barbarossa, and the Yom Kippur war. Ultimately, intelligence can only take us so far," commented Bennett.
Following Israel's withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, immense financial resources have been allocated towards fortifying the border against potential attacks. This involves intercepting any weaponry launched from inside Gaza towards Israel and preventing terrorists from infiltrating the border through airborne or subterranean tunnels. To counter rocket attacks, Israel has successfully deployed the Iron Dome, an advanced defense system developed with assistance from the United States.
Israel invested vast sums of money into constructing a sophisticated smart border system comprising sensors and underground walls. This ambitious project, as reported by Reuters, reached completion by the close of 2021.
Given the circumstances, it is highly likely that Israeli authorities will evaluate the shortcomings of these systems during the recent events on Saturday. As of Saturday morning, Israel announced that Hamas had launched a staggering 2,200 rockets, although no specific details were disclosed regarding the number of interceptions made. At this time, there have been no official statements regarding the effectiveness of the border fence in fulfilling its intended purpose.
Former State Department negotiator on Middle East issues, Aaron David Miller, expressed to CNN's Wolf Blitzer that the Israeli communities near Gaza did not have sufficient protection. Miller stated that the Israelis were caught off guard and did not anticipate this situation.
Israel's response will likely extend beyond bolstering border defenses. The Israel Defense Forces have already initiated airstrikes on Hamas infrastructure in Gaza, leading to numerous casualties and fatalities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that the retaliation would be unparalleled, while Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian, the top Palestinian territories official, accused Hamas of unleashing utter chaos.
Conricus, the former IDF spokesman, said Saturdays events will force Israel to back up that rhetoric and respond "in a way that it has never responded before."
