IDF Chief of Staff Honors Intelligence Analyst for Pre-Oct. 7 Warnings

Three years after the events of October 7th, Sergeant Major V, an intelligence analyst from Unit 8200, has received official recognition from the IDF for her warnings about Hamas's readiness for a large-scale surprise attack. At a ceremony reviewing lessons learned from the October 7th massacre, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir presented Sergeant Major V with a certificate of appreciation, stating, "It was important for me to invite Sergeant Major V here, V is a prime example of intellectual courage and professionalism." He emphasized the need for organizational culture that encourages critical thinking and freedom of expression among soldiers.

An IDF inquiry determined that Sergeant Major V had made significant efforts to alert various commanders in Military Intelligence and the Southern Command about the impending danger, but her concerns were dismissed as Hamas building its strength, while she insisted the threat was immediate. In September 2023, a month before the attack, her commander also tried to warn senior officials in the Southern Command about Hamas's plans, which Sergeant Major V had translated and codenamed "Jericho Wall." She had previously attempted to raise alarms in April 2022 while monitoring Hamas's operational plans and was later transferred to help map Hamas's elite Nukhba forces, intended for the front lines of an attack.

Further details revealed that Sergeant Major V had documented Hamas exercises simulating raids on kibbutzim and military bases, including the downing of aircraft and the killing of soldiers. She noted that the terrorists used the exact same phrases in their drills as those in the plan for a large-scale assault. Despite her persistent warnings, which included presenting evidence of 11 Nukhba drills and eight regional exercises in September 2023, her analysis was reportedly downplayed by others in Gaza Division intelligence, who viewed them as routine training exercises.

The "October Council," representing survivors and bereaved families, identified Lt. Col. Aryeh Amidror, who served as the Gaza Division's intelligence officer on October 7th, as one of the commanders who allegedly ignored Sergeant Major V's warnings. The council called for an investigation into his actions. Chief of Staff Zamir, addressing senior IDF commanders, stressed the importance of learning from the October 7th failures, expanding security margins, and preparing for surprise attacks as the IDF's operational compass. He affirmed that the entire IDF is on constant alert, emphasizing the duty to prevent and prepare for surprise, especially during periods of heightened tension.