MOSCOW, Nov 25 Israeli military intelligence for a year before the escalation of the conflict, it knew about Hamas’s plans to start hostilities, the information was transferred to the General Security Service (Shin Bet), but Tel Aviv was not prepared for the threat, the Haaretz newspaper writes, citing unnamed officials of the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
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" According to Defense Department officials, more than a year before Hamas's massive attack on Israel last month, military intelligence had detailed information about the group's plan to violate the border of the Gaza Strip.
The publication's interlocutors clarified that Israel's political leadership was aware of at least some of the intelligence.
“Israel did not adequately prepare for the threat and did not appear to believe that Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar intended to carry out this plan,” the newspaper writes.
As the Financial Times reported, a senior Israeli military intelligence officer called «imaginary scenario» detailed warning predicting a Hamas attack in early October.
Exacerbation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas The Palestinian-Israeli conflict, related to the territorial interests of the parties, has remained a source of tension and clashes in the region for many decades. The UN decision in 1947 determined the creation of two states — Israel and Palestine, but only the Israeli one was created.
A new round of confrontation began after Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on the morning of October 7. After massive shelling, Hamas fighters entered the border areas in the south of the Jewish state, where they opened fire on both military and civilians, and also took hostages. The movement's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, announced Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.
In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords. Within days of the attack, the Israeli military took took control of all settlements near the border of the Gaza Strip and began to carry out airstrikes on objects, including civilians, in the enclave. In addition, Tel Aviv announced a complete blockade of Gaza: the supply of water, food, electricity, medicine and fuel was suspended. At the end of October, the ground phase of the Israeli operation began: troops surrounded the city of Gaza, and the enclave was actually divided into southern and northern parts.
According to the latest data, the number of victims in the Gaza Strip exceeded 14.8 thousand people, among them more than six thousand children. Another 36 thousand were injured. More than 1.2 thousand people were killed in Israel, including 20 Russians. In addition, according to various estimates, about 200-250 people may be held captive by Hamas.