The Gist Yaakov Katz - While Israel Slept: Winning Tunnels, Losing Time
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Oct 1, 2025 Yaakov Katz, a journalist and former editor of the Jerusalem Post, delves into the failures of Israel’s security establishment leading up to October 7. He discusses how misconceptions about Hamas's strength, ignored warnings, and tactical failures created a perfect storm for the attack. Katz criticizes Netanyahu’s post-ceasefire decisions for prolonging the conflict and highlights the contradictions in Israel's successes against Iran versus failures against Hamas. He also explores how global opinion affects military strategies and the long-term need for cultural change in Gaza.
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Ceasefire Plan Depends On Hamas
- Donald Trump's 20-point ceasefire plan only matters if Hamas accepts and hands over hostages.
- Yaakov Katz believes Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey likely brokered Hamas' potential cooperation before the announcement.
Containment Became A Dangerous Narrative
- Israel adopted a long-term policy of containment that became a comforting concepsia.
- That fairy-tale belief blinded leaders to clear signs Hamas was rearming and preparing for a major strike.
Nighttime Warnings Dismissed As Drills
- Intelligence detected unusual activity overnight before October 7th but interpreted it as a drill.
- Intercepted conversations saying "it's just a drill" and prior comparisons led analysts to minimize the threat.
