In a recent internal investigation, the Israeli military has admitted to significant failings in its defense strategy during the Hamas attacks that occurred on October 7th. The probe specifically focused on the security collapse that allowed Hamas militants to launch assaults on communities situated along the Gaza border.

The investigation's report highlighted that "severe mistakes and errors" were made in the army's response as Hamas overran Kibbutz Beeri, a hard-hit town on the border. It highlighted that the army was underprepared and did not prioritize civilian lives in their defense plans. Shockingly, the report revealed that even as residents were being killed, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) units waited nearby instead of intervening.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, addressed the surviving members of the community during the presentation of the investigation findings. He humbly acknowledged, "We failed to protect the kibbutz." Hagari also stressed the need for an independent commission of inquiry to hold the responsible parties accountable for the security collapse.

The tragic attack on Beeri resulted in the loss of 101 lives, equivalent to one-tenth of the kibbutz's population. The unprecedented breach of Israel's high-tech border fence caught military units off guard, leaving community guards and residents to fend for themselves against the heavily armed infiltrators.

As public pressure mounts for accountability over this security failure, only a few security leaders have resigned so far. However, the likelihood of political figures being held responsible remains uncertain. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected the establishment of an independent commission while the country is at war.

The IDF's internal investigation has done little to appease public demands. Tamar Hermann, a senior research fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, explained that the findings were taken with skepticism, stating, "People expect some kind of official commission of inquiry composed of people who were not involved in any way." The anger and disappointment continue to resonate deeply within the community of Beeri.

The investigation report shed light on the chaos that ensued during the attack. Approximately 340 militants, including 100 Hamas special forces fighters, infiltrated the kibbutz. Smaller IDF units that arrived in the morning were quickly overwhelmed and retreated, positioning themselves at the gate and engaging in combat with the Hamas militants.

The kibbutz's security team valiantly defended against the attack for the first seven hours, preventing the enemy from expanding the assault to other neighborhoods. While the investigation provided insights into the depth and complexity of the fighting, it failed to provide satisfactory answers to critical questions regarding the prolonged inaction of military forces, the intelligence failure that allowed for the invasion, and the soldiers' understanding of their primary objective to protect civilians.

The aftermath of this security breach has left trust shattered. Rami Gold, a member of Beeri's security squad who fought against the militants that day, expressed his disappointment, saying, "From my perspective, what they said is, 'We abandoned you.'" Gold emphasized the need for the army to rebuild trust with the community, stating, "Right now, that's not the case. I trust us."

One controversial decision that emerged from the IDF's response on October 7th was the targeting of Pessi Cohen's home, where Hamas militants had sought refuge along with 14 hostages. However, the investigation report did not provide further details on this specific incident.

As the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of this tragic security failure, the call for a comprehensive and independent commission of inquiry persists. The Israeli military's internal investigation has revealed significant shortcomings in its defense strategy but falls short of providing the clarity and accountability demanded by the public.