Over a year prior to the fatal October 7 attack, Israeli intelligence services had acquired detailed plans of the assault, as reported by The New York Times.
By yourNEWS Media Staff
Israeli intelligence services had in their possession the plans for the October 7 terrorist attack executed by Hamas, over a year before it was carried out, according to a report by The New York Times.
The attack, which took place in various southern Israeli locations on October 7, resulted in over 1,400 deaths, including at least 30 Americans. The intelligence officials, upon reviewing these plans, referred to as “Jericho Wall,” considered them to be more aspirational than concrete, as detailed in the Times report.
In July, a significant development was observed by an analyst from Unit 8200. The analyst noted a training exercise involving senior Hamas leaders, which bore striking resemblances to the “Jericho Wall” plans. Despite the analyst’s warning, a senior officer dismissed the exercise as highly imaginative. This prompted the analyst to reference the 1973 Yom Kippur War, highlighting the potential for history to repeat itself underestimating seemingly far-fetched plans.
The actual attack on October 7 mirrored several aspects outlined in the intelligence plans, including the use of paragliders, a coordinated rocket attack, and drones employed to neutralize border defenses like sensors and remote-controlled positions.
Reflecting on this intelligence oversight, the analyst cautioned, “We already underwent a similar experience 50 years ago on the southern front in connection with a scenario that seemed imaginary, and history may repeat itself if we are not careful.”
Ted Singer, a retired CIA official, drew parallels between this intelligence lapse and a significant American security failure, telling The New York Times, “The Israeli intelligence failure on Oct. 7 is sounding more and more like our 9/11. The failure will be a gap in analysis to paint a convincing picture to military and political leadership that Hamas had the intention to launch the attack when it did.”
As per a September 2016 memo obtained by The New York Times, Hamas had bolstered its force to 27,000 fighters, aiming to reach a strength of 40,000 by 2020.
In the aftermath, Israel has agreed to extend a ceasefire with Hamas. This follows the release of several groups of hostages since the previous Friday. In a recent incident in Jerusalem, Hamas gunmen killed three Israelis and wounded 16, before being neutralized by off-duty soldiers and armed civilians.