Israel stopped listening to Hamas radio stations year ago, deeming waste of effort - NYT

According to the agency, Israeli officials have underestimated the threat from HAMAS for years, incredibly critically in the run-up to the attack. The official assessment of Israeli military intelligence and the National Security Council since May 2021 was that HAMAS was not interested in attacking Gaza, as it could provoke a destructive response from Israel. Instead, Israeli intelligence believed that HAMAS was trying to inflame violence against Israelis in the West Bank, controlled by its rival, the Palestinian Authority.

The conviction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior officials of the Israeli security service that Iran and Hezbollah pose the greatest threat to Israel diverted attention and resources from countering HAMAS.

The military signal intelligence unit Unit 8200 stopped eavesdropping on HAMAS militants' portable radios in Gaza a year ago because it was considered a "waste of effort."

Moreover, American spy agencies in recent years have practically stopped collecting intelligence on HAMAS and its plans, considering this group a regional threat controlled by Israel.

Meanwhile, HAMAS militants underwent thorough training for the attack, remaining practically unnoticed for at least a year. Divided into various units with specific goals, they possessed detailed information about Israeli military bases and kibbutz locations.

War in Israel

On October 7, HAMAS terrorists unexpectedly attacked Israel. Militants killed and kidnapped both military and civilian residents. After that, Israel began regular shelling of the Gaza Strip.

On October 27, IDF representative Daniel Hagari announced the start of an offensive operation in the Gaza Strip. The operation is being conducted from the air, sea, and land to ensure the security of Israel.

That night, Israel sent additional forces for a ground operation in Gaza.