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The Civil Inquiry Committee for the October 7 Disaster

(November 26, 2024)

The following is an executive summary of the Civil Inquiry Committee’s November 26, 2024, report for the October 7 disaster. The committee carries no official capacity. The report was compiled by a citizen-led inquiry that examined the multi-faceted failures culminating in the October 7th attack, asserting that this unprecedented disaster in Israel’s history was not a result of unforeseen circumstances but a consequence of long-standing systemic issues. The report underscored Israel’s detrimental “money for quiet” policy, which fostered a dangerous complacency toward Hamas’s growing military capabilities. It highlighted the failure of intelligence agencies to assess and communicate the escalating threat accurately. This failure was further compounded by an overreliance on technological intelligence, leading to the dismissal of crucial ground observations and warnings. The report also criticized the erosion of military preparedness, evident in the ill-equipped and inadequately trained soldiers stationed at the Nahal Oz base, as well as the government’s chaotic and insufficient response to the attack, leaving citizens, displaced families, and victims’ families without adequate support. Finally, the report attributed much of the blame to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s control over key decision-making bodies, which stifled dissenting voices and hindered comprehensive discussions on crucial security matters, ultimately contributing to the tragic events of October 7.


This report examines the failures that led to the October 7th attack, the largest national disaster in Israel’s history. The report concludes that the attack was preventable, not the result of fate or a sudden system collapse. Instead, the events stemmed from a series of failures, most notably:

  • Complacency and the “Money for Quiet” Policy: Israeli leadership, on all levels, opted for a convenient solution to the Gaza situation: paying Hamas for quiet. They ignored warning signs, including Hamas’s military buildup, choosing to believe that Hamas was not interested in conflict and could be controlled with financial incentives.

  • Failure of Intelligence Agencies: The intelligence community failed to warn adequately about the impending attack. Despite evidence of Hamas’s capabilities and intentions, including a 2016 report by then-Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, the government and military leadership failed to act. This failure was compounded by an over-reliance on technological intelligence gathering, which led to a disregard for human intelligence and warning signs observed on the ground, like the testimonies of soldiers stationed on the Gaza border.

  • Erosion of Military Preparedness: A combination of budget cuts, a focus on other threats (Hezbollah and Iran), and the “money for quiet” policy resulted in a decline in military preparedness. The report specifically highlights the Nahal Oz base, where soldiers, including female observation soldiers, were stationed close to the border without adequate training, equipment, or weapons.

  • Dysfunctional Government Response: The government’s response to the attack was chaotic and ineffective. The report highlights the failure of various government ministries to support citizens, including displaced families and victims’ families.

  • Breakdown of Decision-Making Processes: The report details a long-term erosion of decision-making processes within the government, primarily caused by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s control over key institutions like the Security Cabinet and the National Security Council. This control stifled dissenting opinions and prevented comprehensive discussions on critical security matters.

The report also notes that internal divisions within Israeli society, exacerbated by the proposed judicial reforms, further contributed to a sense of vulnerability exploited by Hamas.

The report strongly advocates for the establishment of an independent state commission of inquiry to thoroughly investigate the failures that led to the October 7th attack. The commission should be able to compel testimony from all relevant individuals, including those who declined to appear before the citizen-led inquiry that produced this report.

The report concludes with a series of recommendations, including:

  • Redefining Israel’s National Security Doctrine to address the evolving threat landscape and move away from the “money for quiet” approach.
  • Strengthening the military, particularly ground forces, to ensure preparedness for prolonged conflicts and a return to a focus on decisive military action.
  • Overhauling intelligence agencies to encourage critical thinking, challenge prevailing assumptions, and integrate human intelligence with technological capabilities.
  • Rebuilding the civil defense system to protect citizens and empower local authorities in emergencies.
  • Healing the rifts within Israeli society and fostering national unity.
  • Establishing civilian task forces to leverage the country’s human capital and support the government during crises.

The report emphasizes that addressing these failures is crucial not only for preventing future attacks but also for restoring public trust in the government and ensuring the future security and well-being of Israel and its citizens.


Source: “The Civil Inquiry Committee for the October 7th Disaster,” havaada.co.il. [Hebrew]