Senior Israeli Security Official Criticizes Focus on Iran Amid Hamas Strengthening in Gaza

The organization "October Council" released a report titled "Strategic Warning: The 2026 Failure" on Monday, highlighting critical security concerns facing Israel. The report includes testimonies from various sources, including a former senior security official who stated that Prime Minister Netanyahu received over ten warnings about security threats but dismissed them as exaggerations. Some of these warnings were reportedly focused on the Jewish High Holidays, raising questions about the security cabinet's response.

Another senior security figure criticized the government's decision to concentrate resources on the Iranian front, calling it a waste of billions on unrealistic projects while Hamas grew stronger in Gaza without receiving adequate attention. This official argued that even if the Prime Minister's focus on Iran was justified, it should have been thoroughly explained and justified in a state inquiry committee.

The report also features a personal account from the mother of an Israeli observer serving in Gaza, who described the emotional toll of her daughter's work monitoring threats and the lack of support from commanders, which she said was deeply distressing. The testimonies collectively warn of a failure to adequately address imminent security threats, emphasizing the need for accountability and reassessment of priorities ahead of 2026.