Israeli Police Investigation Details October 7 Combat, Security Coordination Gaps

An Israeli police investigation into the events of October 7 has revealed details of the combat, identifying 35 distinct combat sites and the participation of 1,500 police officers. The investigation, initiated by the Police Commissioner upon taking office, was conducted over approximately 18 months and involved over a thousand officers, despite initial delays. The findings, which include 800 conclusions and 500 lessons learned, were compiled from over 100,000 visual and written materials and around 500 testimonies. The report highlights the heroic efforts of police officers and fighters, noting that 58 of the 1,500 participating officers were killed in action. Special units, including Yamam, Yams, Yassam, and Gideonim (Unit 33), operated in multiple locations, some continuing into the following day. A central issue addressed in the investigation concerned the announcement of the military order "Fresh Flash," a plan related to Gaza threats. The investigation definitively states that then-commander of the Southern Brigade, Amir Cohen, issued the order at 6:41 AM. A four-minute delay between the order and its execution was attributed to alarms forcing the command center staff into a shelter, though a senior official involved deemed this delay non-critical as the order was immediately recorded and saved lives.

Crucially, the investigation exposed significant gaps and weaknesses, particularly the lack of coordination between the police, Shin Bet, and the army. The report indicates that even three years later, no technological solution exists for immediate communication between these three security bodies. The central recommendation is for the National Security Council to lead a joint investigation to ensure proper response and communication capabilities in future real-time events. The investigation's results have been presented to the families of the fallen, fighters, and the police, with a public release expected next.