(The Age, 13/7/2024)
Netanyahu has no responsibility it seems – blame anybody but do not punish anybody except the Palestinians – Mark
The Israeli military has released the results of its first internal probe into the Hamas attacks on October 7, admitting to major failings in the defence of Kibbutz Be’eri, a hard-hit community on the Gaza border, but falling short of holding individual commanders to account and leaving key questions unanswered.
The report said “severe mistakes and errors” were made in the army response as Hamas overran the community. The army was underprepared, it said, and did not always prioritise civilian lives. The report detailed how in the afternoon, Israel Defence Forces units waited nearby even as residents were killed.
“From the afternoon hours onwards, forces were waiting outside the kibbutz while the massacre continued inside,” it said. “The IDF did not fulfil its mission to defend the residents in the most grave manner and failed in its mission.”
Military officials presented the findings to the surviving members of the community at the Dead Sea resort they now call home. A total of 101 people died in Be’eri – one-tenth of its population – as Hamas fighters from Gaza broke through Israel’s high-tech border fence and took military units by surprise.
Dozens more were taken hostage, 11 of whom have yet to be released.
Up and down the border, outgunned community guards and residents were left fighting virtually alone.
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