Supreme Court Allows Naming of Gaza Division Intelligence Officer Held Responsible for Oct. 7 Failures

Israel's Supreme Court has permitted the publication of the name of Lieutenant Colonel Aryeh Amidaror, the intelligence officer for the Gaza Division during the October 7th Hamas attack. Amidaror, son of retired General Yaakov Amidaror, had been engaged in a legal battle against both his dismissal from the IDF and the lifting of the gag order on his identity.

For months, Amidaror's identity was concealed, referred to only as "Lt. Col. A." The court's decision to allow publication comes after the IDF finalized Amidaror's release from service, following an extended administrative and legal process. The Chief of Staff had previously determined that Amidaror bore command responsibility for the failures preceding the October 7th massacre.

Amidaror assumed his role in the Gaza Division in May 2023. During his tenure, he was exposed to "Jericho Wall," a Hamas offensive plan that bore significant similarities to the actual events of October 7th. Despite warnings from an expert in Unit 8200 about Hamas practicing maneuvers mirroring this plan, the threat assessments at the time did not lead to a substantial change in the perceived threat or an increase in alert levels in the sector.

Later investigations highlighted deep discrepancies in identifying Hamas's evolving intentions and capabilities. Amidaror's conduct on the night of October 6th-7th was a focal point. Reports indicate he arrived at the division's Re'im base that night but did not order an increase in alert status or notify all relevant forces.

Following the war, an expert committee examining the division's performance identified significant failures in intelligence processes and alert escalation. Subsequently, IDF officials recommended ending Amidaror's service. Amidaror contested the army's authority to proceed with his discharge, leading to the legal proceedings. In June, his arguments against the army's jurisdiction were rejected, with the court affirming the IDF's right to initiate service termination for an officer due to professional and command failures.