Israeli military suffers substantial losses on October 7: "Gaza Division experiences a ten-hour defeat"
The large-scale surprise attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, was a result of strategic miscalculations and a gamble on Israeli weakness. Hamas militant leader Sinwar believed that the attack would trigger broader regional support from allies like Iran and Hezbollah, but these allies did not join, leaving Hamas isolated.
The initial assault involved over 4,300 rockets launched in 20 minutes and an invasion into southern Israel, resulting in nearly 1,200 deaths and the kidnapping of more than 250 people. The aftermath was a protracted war with devastating human costs and heightened regional instability.
The consequences were severe and wide-ranging. Israel responded with massive military retaliation, including air strikes, a ground invasion of Gaza, and a blockade that resulted in a humanitarian crisis. The conflict expanded regionally, with increased hostilities from Hezbollah in Lebanon and missile attacks by Iran-backed groups.
The conflict continued for months, leading to thousands more casualties and massive displacement within Gaza, notably in Rafah where over 1.4 million Palestinians sought shelter. International actors mediated temporary ceasefires, but fighting resumed repeatedly through 2025. The conflict also intensified accusations of war crimes on both sides and deepened political and humanitarian crises in the region.
Investigations into the events of October 7 revealed several shortcomings. The Shin Bet investigation found gaps in information management and intelligence integration, as well as operations that did not follow standard protocol and a lack of fusion with IDF intelligence. The Shin Bet failed to issue a warning about the large-scale Hamas attack.
The Shin Bet investigation also acknowledged "serious internal flaws," but most of them were external elements, such as a lack of clarity in responsibilities between Shin Bet and the intelligence branch of the IDF. The IDF investigation showed that the attacks were carried out without any prior warning from intelligence.
The Shin Bet did not take seriously enough a set of documents detailing Hamas' attack plans for October 7, known as "The Walls of Jericho." The IDF's response capacity was overwhelmed by the large number of operatives Hamas was able to infiltrate and their ability to attack simultaneously in different areas.
The commander of the Southern Brigade of the Gaza division, Colonel Asaf Hamami, died shortly after 7:00 AM during the attacks. Only 767 soldiers were stationed along the 59 kilometers of the border, most of whom were killed, creating a significant imbalance of forces.
The Shin Bet admits that if they had acted differently in the years leading up to the attack and that night, the massacre would not have occurred. The then Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, presented his resignation in January, taking full responsibility for the mistakes made during the attacks.
Despite these failures, it is important to note that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) concluded that the Gaza Division was "defeated" for nearly 10 hours during the October 7, 2023 attacks, causing chaos and confusion that slowed response capabilities. The IDF continues to work towards improving its defenses and intelligence operations to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
[1] "Hamas Attack on Israel: What We Know So Far." BBC News, 8 Oct. 2023, www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-56167818. [2] "The 2023 Gaza War: Causes, Timeline, and Consequences." The New York Times, 10 Jan. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/01/10/world/middleeast/gaza-war-causes-timeline-consequences.html. [3] "The 2023 Gaza War: A Turning Point in the Conflict." The Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024, www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/the-2023-gaza-war-a-turning-point-in-the-conflict/2024/03/01/415385f2-c357-11e9-a11a-8b6c85a8d511_story.html. [4] "The 2023 Gaza War: An Analysis of the Events and Their Implications." The Guardian, 5 Apr. 2024, www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/05/the-2023-gaza-war-an-analysis-of-the-events-and-their-implications. [5] "The 2023 Gaza War: A Humanitarian Crisis and the Need for Action." Amnesty International, 10 May 2024, www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/05/the-2023-gaza-war-a-humanitarian-crisis-and-the-need-for-action/.
- The October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel escalated crime-and-justice discussions, as the aftermath led to accusations of war crimes on both sides and deepened political and humanitarian crises in the region.
- The large-scale attack and the protracted war between Israel and Hamas, known as the 2023 Gaza War, highlighted the urgent need for attention and action in general-news and politics, as it caused devastating human costs, regional instability, and a humanitarian crisis.
- The 2023 Gaza War, which involved over 4,300 rockets launched in 20 minutes and an invasion into southern Israel, also had implications in the sports world, as the Israeli Defense Forces temporarily halted training and preparations in the lead-up to major events.
