The Israeli delay of an Oct. 7 inquiry serves to postpone responsibility

The article discusses the delayed establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, arguing that this delay serves to postpone accountability. Newly revealed documents indicate Hamas planned for an invasion force of up to 10,000 fighters against over 200 southern communities and IDF outposts, though the actual attack involved about 5,600 attackers. The author contends that the failures of October 7 were widespread, encompassing intelligence, political policy, military deployment, and border defense, and cannot be adequately addressed by internal probes. The High Court of Justice has already highlighted the lack of an appropriate investigatory mechanism. The article emphasizes that a state commission of inquiry is crucial for establishing facts, identifying failures, assigning responsibility, and ensuring Israel learns from the disaster, especially as the nation approaches an election season. It concludes that establishing such a commission must be an immediate priority for the next government.