"October 7 was not an accident" – Top Israeli General reveals shocking failures leading to Hamas attack

During a meeting with over 600 senior military commanders to review the internal investigation of the attack, Sariel sharply criticized the inquiry process, accusing it of failing to ask the critical questions needed to understand the full scope of the disaster.

Sariel, who is set to step down in two weeks, specifically targeted Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, claiming that the senior leadership failed to take full accountability for the attack. Despite their long-standing personal and professional relationship, Sariel made it clear that his criticism was based on the process rather than personal animosity.

Sariel also addressed systemic military failures, saying, “October 7 was not an accident—it was a disease that spread through the military. We failed to investigate how it spread, and that critical question remains unanswered.” He criticized the IDF for neglecting strategic assessments, particularly regarding Hamas’ growing military capabilities.

“On October 7 at 06:29, I did not fulfill my mission as expected,” Sariel confessed. “I failed. This cannot be undone, and I bow my head and ask for forgiveness.” He went on to describe a six-day investigation into the failures within the Intelligence Directorate, involving both active and reserve officers, and detailed the findings in a comprehensive 148-page report that documented Unit 8200’s shortcomings.

One of the most damning aspects of Sariel’s statements was his critique of the military’s failure to properly assess Hamas’ growing military capabilities. He pointed out that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had identified two factors that could have prevented the attack: IDF tanks positioned at the border and drones in the air. “If we had deployed even minimal deterrence measures, the attack might never have happened,” Sariel argued, suggesting that the failure to act on these intelligence indicators allowed the attack to go forward.

Sariel emphasized that the failure was not just operational but deeply rooted in the military’s culture. He noted that the IDF had failed to view Hamas as a true military force, leading to complacency and a lack of adequate preparedness. “We believed the land barrier and intelligence units alone would secure us. That was a fundamental flaw in our military structure and values,” he said.

Sariel’s reflections also included a critique of military leadership’s tendency to take credit for successes while shifting blame to lower ranks when failures occur. He referenced past political rhetoric, comparing the IDF's handling of the October 7 attack to former Public Security Minister Amir Ohana’s response to the 2021 Mount Meron disaster, emphasizing the need for real accountability in both the military and political spheres.