In a groundbreaking admission, the Mossad, Israel’s national intelligence agency, has officially acknowledged for the first time its surprise at the Hamas attack on settlements and military bases near the Gaza Strip on October 7. This unexpected revelation surfaced in an Israeli publication Haaretz, marking a significant moment of self-reflection for the esteemed agency.
According to the publication, this admission came to light in a document prepared by the Mossad for a new edition of the newsletter of the Israeli Intelligence Heritage and Commemoration Center. The document, which includes details of the agency's activities during the Gaza war, was highlighted by Israeli security expert Yossi Melman as not just an obvious acknowledgment but one of substantial significance, especially given its appearance in an official agency publication.
Melman pointed out, "Although the document wasn't signed, it’s clear to anyone familiar with the Mossad’s operating procedures that every word had been approved by the agency's director, David Barnea." This statement underscores the gravity of the admission and the thoroughness of the internal review processes at the Mossad.
This intelligence shortfall has sparked widespread criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government for its failure to anticipate the attacks from Hamas on October 7. The document also clarifies the Mossad’s role, noting that while the agency does not primarily focus on the Palestinian arena, it indeed maintains contacts and interaction with many parties related to this area.
The admission from within the intelligence community has further fueled the dialogue on Israel's preparedness and strategic assessment capabilities. The former MI6 director commented, "Mossad and Shin Bet leaders won't bear this," pointing to what he perceives as a strategic miscalculation by Israel.
This document's release and the discussions that have followed shed light on the complexities and challenges faced by intelligence agencies in forecasting and preventing attacks, reaffirming the Mossad's crucial, albeit challenging, role in national security.