State Comptroller Criticizes Severe Failures in Medical Evacuation During October 7 Terror Attack

Israel's State Comptroller and Public Complaints Commissioner, Matanyahu Englman, released a series of critical audit reports on Tuesday addressing failures in both military and civilian responses since the outbreak of the "Iron Swords" war. The main focus was on the medical evacuation system during the October 7 terror attack, described as the most severe terror event in Israel's history. Englman highlighted that operational responsibility for evacuating the wounded lay with the Southern Command and the Gaza Division. While praising the bravery of IDF soldiers, Magen David Adom (MDA) personnel, and civilians, he unequivocally blamed the root failure on the IDF's inability to protect southern communities.

The report exposed serious structural flaws in the evacuation system, including a lack of organized response, command and control failures, and complete absence of coordination between the IDF and MDA. Notably, transfer points for wounded from military to civilian ambulances were agreed upon nearly eight hours after the attack began, causing critical delays in hospital treatment. Additionally, real-time technology was underutilized; while military medical units received direct information on injured soldiers, civilian casualty data was disconnected. MDA had deployed a computerized system at the Gaza Division reflecting all emergency calls in real time, but military medical teams did not use it, resulting in vital information not reaching forces on the ground.

Englman also criticized the government’s environmental and energy policies amid the ongoing conflict, warning that the climate crisis remains unaddressed. He pointed to the Dead Sea’s alarming water level drop of 1.15 meters per year and called for immediate government decisions on intervention and development. The report further revealed a lack of clear guidelines for informing wounded soldiers about rehabilitation options, leaving many dependent on hearsay. Due to a conflict of interest, Englman recused himself from this section, which was led by the Ministry of Defense’s Director-General, retired Brigadier General Yishai Vaknin.

Responses from key institutions acknowledged the unprecedented challenges of October 7. The Ministry of Health emphasized the dedication and professionalism of medical teams operating under chaotic and dangerous conditions, noting that many identified gaps have since been addressed. The Ministry of Defense highlighted the scale of rehabilitation efforts, with over 25,000 wounded soldiers treated since the war began and plans to reach 100,000 by 2028. The IDF admitted to failing in protecting southern communities but stressed the efforts made to evacuate wounded under intense combat, noting ongoing investigations and improvements in coordination with MDA. The IDF also supported recommendations to improve medical information sharing to enhance patient care continuity.