Bereaved Father Warns Israel Faces Another October 7-Style Attack Without Inquiry

Eyal Eshel, father of Roni Eshel who was killed at the Nahal Oz outpost during the October 7 attack, warned in a recent interview that Israel is on the brink of another similar disaster. Speaking on the "Sari and Shlezinger" podcast on June 8, 2023, he stated, "We are before the worst, the event of October 7 will happen again, on another day and likely another date." He criticized the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for failing to learn from past mistakes and said the absence of a state commission of inquiry severely undermines Israel's security.

Eshel founded the "October Council" alongside Rafi Ben Shitrit to push for a state investigation into the failures leading to the October 7 massacre. He argued that had such a commission been established, incidents like the drone attacks from southern Lebanon could have been prevented. He emphasized that only a formal inquiry can hold those responsible accountable, criticizing both military and political leadership for negligence and failure.

Recalling the day of the attack, Eshel described how he learned about the assault minutes before 7 a.m. and his growing concern when his daughter Roni, a lookout soldier, did not answer her phone. Roni had warned months earlier about a possible invasion, but her reports and those of other female soldiers were dismissed as mere training exercises. Eshel condemned the military's arrogance and disregard for warnings, highlighting a 2019 breach at Nahal Oz that went uninvestigated.

Eshel also expressed frustration with the current government, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for their handling of the aftermath and refusal to establish a commission. He criticized coalition discipline for blocking the inquiry and condemned Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for claiming credit for the return of hostages, calling it "shameful." Eshel accused the military culture of being deeply flawed and resistant to change, calling for accountability of senior officers involved in the failures.

On a personal note, Eshel described the ongoing pain of losing his daughter and the impact on his family. Despite the grief, he announced his intention to enter politics to effect change, stating he has received multiple invitations to run for the Knesset and is awaiting a specific offer. He concluded by saying his daughter’s memory motivates him to continue fighting for justice and preventing future tragedies.