IDF Documents Reveal Planning Details of Major Operations Post-Oct. 7

Newly released Israel Defense Forces (IDF) orders shed light on the planning and decision-making processes behind major Israeli military operations following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The documents, reported by Israel Hayom, cover actions in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran, as well as targeted assassinations of senior Hamas and Hezbollah officials.

The first order, issued within hours of the October 7 attack, established the IDF's initial objectives: defending civilians and borders, halting enemy advances, striking Hamas infrastructure in Gaza, and preparing for potential conflict expansion. This foundational order remains active, as the war in Gaza has not officially concluded.

IDF priorities shifted over time. By the fall of 2024, the focus moved to the northern front, prioritizing the security of northern Israeli residents, with Gaza becoming a secondary theater. A separate order detailed an operation in Syria in December 2024, following a rapid rebel advance, where Israeli forces secured Golan Heights positions and the air force struck Syrian army assets. This operation concluded shortly after a change in leadership in Damascus.

Later, attention turned to Iran. On June 14, marking the 616th day of the war, Israel launched "People as a Lion," its first campaign against Iran, aiming to weaken its nuclear program, destabilize the regime, and improve Israel's strategic standing.

The documents also illustrate the meticulous planning for operations against Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. In July 2024, strikes targeted Muhammad Deif and Rafi Salamah, with efforts made to minimize collateral damage. Subsequent operations eliminated Hezbollah's Fuad Shukr, Ibrahim Akil, and Hassan Nasrallah, along with IRGC representative Abbas Nilforoushan. Intelligence gathering for such operations could span years, focusing on movements, habits, and headquarters, with final decisions sometimes made within hours, as in the case of Deif, where intelligence arrived one evening and an attack was launched the next morning.

Military planning also involved navigating uncertainty and considering potential consequences, including the possible involvement of the United States, particularly before the Iran operation. For a major Lebanon operation, the balance between air and ground actions was a key consideration. In Syria, rapid decision-making was necessary due to the swift collapse of the Syrian army, requiring action within two days of assessing the situation.

Separately, the IDF is reportedly preparing for a potential new war with Hezbollah, with forces on high alert.