State Comptroller report: Serious security failures on Israel’s northern border before October 7th attack

State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman has released a report highlighting significant security deficiencies on Israel's northern border before the October 7, 2023 attack. The findings, presented to both the IDF and government officials prior to the outbreak of the war, reveal serious gaps in the preparedness of soldiers deployed in the area.

According to the report, soldiers stationed along the northern border expressed concerns about the inadequacy of the rules of engagement that governed when they were permitted to open fire. These guidelines, they reported, were not suited to the threats they faced, leaving them in difficult positions where their ability to protect themselves was limited. Furthermore, the report highlighted that reserve soldiers were not equipped with the proper weapons, further undermining the defense capabilities of Israel's northern border.

Commanders also testified about repeated technical issues with patrol vehicles, which forced them to cancel important patrols. These mechanical failures highlighted the lack of readiness in vital security infrastructure that could have been crucial in preventing security breaches.

Englman pointed to the October 7 massacre as a direct result of these numerous and severe security shortcomings. In an inspection carried out even before the deadly attack, Englman’s team visited eight border outposts and discovered alarming gaps in the protection of the area. Despite the report being submitted before October 7 to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, and then-Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, the issues outlined in the findings were not sufficiently addressed in advance of the attack.

The Comptroller emphasized that the report underscored the vital role of state audits in identifying and addressing such security gaps early on. "It was necessary that the report serve as a warning signal regarding the vulnerabilities in protecting the country's borders," Englman stated. He also noted that the delay in releasing the report was due to a decision by a subcommittee of the State Comptroller's Office.

While the IDF acknowledged the audit and its findings, it clarified that the report was based on a July 2023 inspection and did not reflect the situation on the ground after the war had broken out. In response, the IDF also pointed out that prior to the war, it had developed various operational plans tailored to the anticipated threats and had maintained training regimens to prepare soldiers for rapid response scenarios.

Englman’s report, though not a comprehensive evaluation of the failures during the October 7 attack, serves as an important reminder of the critical need for oversight in national security operations. The review of these security failures is now ongoing, involving military, political, and civilian levels of government.