Israeli Army Forms Investigation Team on Hamas Attack

Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has decided to form a committee to investigate the failures that led to the Hamas attack on October 7. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that the investigation committee includes former Chief of Staff Shaul Mofaz, former head of Israeli military intelligence Aaron Ze'evi Farkash, and former commander of the Southern Command Sami Turjeman. Mofaz was the army's commander until 2002 and served as Minister of Defense until 2006, so he was not part of the "Deterrence of Hamas" mission, as Hamas did not take power in Gaza until 2007. Similarly, Ze'evi Farkash was head of military intelligence until 2006. Turjeman was the commander of the Southern Command until 2015, making it unclear whether he will face allegations of conflict of interest, even though he completed his mission more than eight years ago. Turjeman also led Israeli forces during the 50-day Gaza war in 2014, which "could provide him with a useful perspective." Former army brigadier general Yoav Har-Even, CEO of Rafael, may play a role in ancillary aspects of the investigation, including legal issues. The findings of the investigation are expected to lead to resignations among senior Israeli military officials sometime in 2024 due to the failure to prevent the Hamas attack. Additionally, the army's investigation may spur the formation of a government inquiry, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been trying to delay thus far.