The Israeli military has acknowledged significant intelligence and strategic failures that led to its unpreparedness for the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. A summary of an internal military investigation released on Thursday revealed that the army underestimated Hamas' capabilities and failed in its mission to protect Israeli civilians.

The report stated that for years, Israeli military and intelligence officials believed Hamas was not interested in a full-scale conflict and that Israel would have sufficient warning if such a scenario arose. This misjudgment, the report found, led to inadequate defensive preparations along the Gaza border. The prevailing assumption was that economic incentives and other pressures would deter Hamas from engaging in war.

The investigation examined military strategies, intelligence assessments, and battlefield responses before, during, and after the attacks, in which Hamas fighters infiltrated southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources. Since then, Israel’s retaliatory assault on Gaza has resulted in over 48,000 deaths, according to Palestinian health officials. The conflict has displaced millions and caused extensive destruction in the enclave. Around 400 Israeli soldiers have also been killed.

The findings come as opposition leaders and civil society groups in Israel demand a national inquiry into what has been described as the deadliest single day in modern Israeli history. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that such an inquiry should take place only after the war concludes.

The investigation found that Israel had concentrated its military focus on other threats, particularly Hezbollah in Lebanon, and relied too heavily on intelligence gathering, border barriers, and defensive measures. Military leaders did not perceive an imminent threat from Hamas and did not reinforce border security before the attack.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said the military had not yet presented its findings to Netanyahu. Meanwhile, a ceasefire agreement, which took effect on January 19, is set to expire in two days, raising concerns over the conflict’s next phase.