IDF Chief of Staff Admits Military Failure on October 7th

IDF Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, issued a special order of the day on Sunday, marking three years since the October 7th massacre. In his message, Zamir directly addressed the military's failure to protect Israeli citizens, stating, "The IDF failed in its supreme mission to protect the citizens of the State of Israel." He described the devastation wrought by the attackers in the Gaza border region, noting how places of life and settlement, including fields, orchards, kibbutzim, and towns in the western Negev, were turned into scenes of fire, destruction, and massacre. Roads became battle routes, and homes became sites of slaughter and abduction.

Zamir paid tribute to the victims, hostages, and fallen soldiers. "Today, on the third anniversary, an entire nation bows its head and mourns," he wrote. He remembered civilians murdered in their homes, young people who went out to dance and did not return, those abducted and murdered in captivity, and the soldiers, security personnel, and emergency response teams who fell in battle. He emphasized the army's duty to learn from this failure, stating, "We will carry their stories and educate generations of commanders and soldiers in their light. It is our duty to investigate and ensure the lessons are implemented to be more worthy of the trust the people have placed in us."

The Chief of Staff also reflected on the societal and military mobilization since October 7th. "From that difficult morning, the heroism of a generation was revealed. The people of Israel, in all their diversity, stood up to defend their homes and restore security," he stated. He highlighted the cohesion and resilience of Israeli society in its darkest moments, describing a nation that rushes to help its sons and daughters, fights for its existence, and leaves no one behind.

Looking ahead, Zamir addressed the ongoing conflict and the military's strategy against future threats. "We will not allow our enemies to strengthen unimpeded; we will identify threats as they emerge and strike them with determination and power," he declared. He concluded with a commitment to continue strengthening the IDF and preparing for future challenges, vowing to build a future where Israelis live in security and to lead the nation to victory. "This is our duty to the fallen, our responsibility to the citizens of Israel, and our oath to future generations. Am Israel Chai. May the memory of the fallen be blessed."