The podcast discusses the rocket attack launched by Hamas on Israel, leading to devastating consequences. It examines Israel's retaliation through airstrikes, the intelligence failure that led to their ill-preparedness, and the fallout from the military setback. The episode also explores the impact on Benjamin Netanyahu's political career, Israeli government policies, and implications for a potential Saudi-Israel deal.
Hamas launched an unprecedented assault on Israel, using distraction techniques and breaching the fence between Gaza and Israel.
The attack caught the Israeli intelligence community off guard, raising questions about the effectiveness of Israeli intelligence.
Deep dives
The Unprecedented Rocket Attack
On Saturday morning, the militant Palestinian group Hamas launched an unprecedented assault on Israel, firing about 2,000 rockets from Gaza. This attack, which took place during an important Jewish festival, resulted in the death and injury of hundreds of people. Hamas used a distraction technique, with paragliders in the sky diverting attention, while militants landed near a music festival and carried out their assault. The attack involved breaching the fence between Gaza and Israel, with trucks storming through and Hamas gunmen streaming into Israel.
Israel's Retaliation and War Declaration
In response to the rocket attack, Israel retaliated by launching airstrikes on Gaza, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on Hamas, calling it a significant event that would change the Middle East forever. Israel mobilized its reserve forces, and plans for a ground campaign were discussed. There were also talks of broader actions against Hamas, including targeting its leaders, pressuring countries that support Hamas, and demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Intelligence Failure and Blame
The attack by Hamas caught the Israeli intelligence community off guard, leading to significant criticism and questioning. The operation had been meticulously planned by Hamas, taking advantage of Israel's focus on other security issues. The attack utilized low-tech methods such as bulldozers and explosives, coordinated across multiple locations, while Hamas launched a rocket attack. This intelligence failure has raised questions about the effectiveness of Israeli intelligence, and Prime Minister Netanyahu is likely to face blame for the military setback and intelligence failure.
On Saturday the militant Palestinian group Hamas launched an unprecedented terrorist attack on Israel, killing more than 900 people in Israel and taking up to 130 hostages.
In response, Israel's prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, declared war and launched airstrikes killing almost 690 people in Gaza. His defence minister ordered a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip, which aid organisations have warned could end up amounting to “war crimes”. Meanwhile, Hamas has threatened to execute a hostage for every Israeli attack on Palestinian homes without “prior warning”.
Our correspondent in Israel explains why all this has happened now – and what the consequences could be.