Ex-IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Criticizes Former Officials' Statements on Oct. 7 Failures

Former Deputy Chief of Staff Uzi Dayan criticized statements made by former senior security officials regarding the failures leading up to the October 7th Hamas attack. Speaking on Channel 14, Dayan argued that while criticism is directed at the political echelon, operational failures on the ground must also be thoroughly examined. He specifically addressed reports and testimonies concerning the conduct of former Military Secretary Avi Gil in the hours before the attack.

Dayan expressed concern that officials speak out "always on time," not just before elections but also ahead of inquiry commissions. He stated that individuals who held key positions around the Prime Minister and the security establishment will face difficult questions about their roles, including those in the National Security Council and the Military Secretary's office.

Shifting focus from the officials' conduct, Dayan emphasized the IDF's operational readiness in the Gaza sector. He highlighted the critical issue of ground preparedness and operational unreadiness, noting that the first artillery shell hit Gaza only on Sunday morning after the attack began. "How do you hold a defensive line without artillery?" he questioned, adding that the closest artillery was in Shizafon.

Dayan asserted that military preparedness should be based on the enemy's capabilities, not its intentions, as intentions can be mistaken. He stressed the need for a level of readiness that consistently accounts for the enemy's potential, stating, "Sometimes he himself doesn't know what his intentions are."