A PROBE by the Israeli military has determined that Hamas was able to carry out the deadliest attack in Israeli history on October 7 2023 because the much more powerful Israeli army misjudged the resistance group’s intentions and underestimated its capabilities.

The findings, released on Thursday, add pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to launch a broader inquiry to examine the political decision-making that preceded the attack.

Many Israelis believe that the mistakes of October 7 extend beyond the military and they blame Mr Netanyahu for what they view as a failed strategy of deterrence and containment in the years leading up to the attack. 

That strategy included the sidelining of Hamas’ rival, the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority.

The prime minister has not taken responsibility, saying that he will answer tough questions only after the war, which has been paused for nearly six weeks by a tenuous ceasefire. 

Despite public pressure, including from the families of the 1,139 people killed in the October 7 attack and the 251 taken as hostages into Gaza, Mr Netanyahu has resisted calls for a commission of an inquiry.

The military’s main findings were that Israel misread Hamas’s intentions, underestimated its capabilities and was completely unprepared for the surprise attack by thousands of heavily armed resistance fighters in the early morning hours of a major Jewish holiday.

In comments made to military commanders on Monday, and shared with the media on Thursday, the army’s chief of staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, said he took responsibility for the army’s failures.

“I was the commander of the military on October 7 and I have my own responsibility. I also carry the weight of all your responsibility — that, too, I see as mine,” said Gen Halevi, who announced his resignation in January and is set to step down next week.

The military released only a summary of the report and military officials outlined its findings.

One military source described October 7 as “a complete failure.”

Military planners had envisioned that, at worst, Hamas could stage a ground invasion from up to eight border points, the official said.

In fact, Hamas is alleged to have had more than 60 attack routes.

The report did not place blame on any individual soldiers or officers, but is likely to pave the way for a reckoning in the military and eventual dismissals.

Some high-ranking officers other than Gen Halevi have also resigned, including the former head of military intelligence.