NatSec Matters Israel's Intelligence Breakdowns: Yaakov Katz
Dec 24, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Yaakov Katz, former editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post and author of While Israel Slept, examines the severe intelligence missteps that preceded the October 7 conflict. He highlights a 'lack of imagination' in predicting Hamas's actions, attributing it to overdependence on technology, such as the Iron Dome. Katz critiques Israel’s fragmented intelligence structure and explores how political dynamics with Qatar inadvertently escalated tensions in Gaza. His insights reveal deeper lessons on security and strategic planning.
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Concepcia: The Prism That Blinded Israel
- Israel's October 7 failure stemmed from a prolonged "concepcia" prism that minimized Gaza as a strategic priority.
- That prism combined political choices, technological confidence, and focus on other threats into dangerous complacency.
Tech Created a False Sense Of Security
- Reliance on defensive technology like Iron Dome created false security and reduced urgency to counter Hamas's other capabilities.
- Technology gave confidence that rockets and tunnels were manageable, skewing strategic priorities.
Qatar Suitcases: Cash Into Gaza
- Netanyahu enlisted Qatar to send cash into Gaza starting in 2018 to buy quiet and stabilize the Strip.
- Qatari suitcases of cash flowed for years and Israel's leaders kept the transfers despite intelligence warnings about diversion to terror.