Police sources have come forward with claims that could reshape our understanding of the tragic Nova Festival massacre.
As the nation braces for the imminent release of the IDF's investigation, these revelations paint a complex picture of decisions made and actions taken in the hours leading up to the devastating attack.
According to these sources, the IDF had given its stamp of approval for the festival from a security standpoint, a crucial detail that allowed the licensing process to move forward. "We did not receive any warning about suspicion or concern of a security incident," one source emphasized, highlighting the absence of red flags that might have prevented the tragedy.
According to the police, the event commander at the time was Ofakim station commander Nivi Ochana, who insisted on stationing fighters at the event as backup due to its location, plus eight additional Yasam Negev fighters who came to secure it at his request.
When the rocket launches and sirens were heard on the morning of October 7th, the event commander updated his superiors and received approval from the district commander to order the immediate end of the party.
This likely saved hundreds of partygoers who managed to leave the area before the terrorists arrived at the festival around 8 am.