# Three Years After October 7, Israel Still Faces Unanswered Questions About Its Worst Security Failure > Military investigations have uncovered intelligence failures and serious operational shortcomings. But the broader question of national responsibility remains unresolved. - Source: Morning Week - Canonical URL: https://morningweek.com/article/three-years-after-october-7-israel-still-faces-unanswered-questions-about-its-worst-security-failure - Author: Morning Week Newsroom - Section: World - Published: 2026-10-24T08:54:37.376Z - Updated: 2026-10-24T08:54:37.376Z - Tags: Israel, October 7, Hamas, IDF, Shin Bet, national security, state commission of inquiry --- On October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attackers breached Israel's southern border, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting 251 hostages. The assault exposed failures that extended far beyond the battlefield and raised fundamental questions about Israel's security establishment and political leadership. Three years later, parts of the picture have become clearer. The Israel Defense Forces has conducted investigations into the events of that day, including the battles in communities along the Gaza border. The findings have documented failures in intelligence assessments, military readiness and the response to the unfolding attack. The IDF's investigation into the battle of Kibbutz Be'eri, for example, acknowledged that residents were left to defend themselves for hours without adequate military protection. The findings illustrated both the extraordinary actions of local defenders and the scale of the military's failure to protect civilians. Israel's domestic security agency, the Shin Bet, has also examined its own conduct. Its investigation acknowledged that warning signs had not translated into an effective alert before the attack. Yet operational investigations address only part of a much larger question. Who was responsible for the strategic assumptions that shaped Israel's policy toward Gaza? How were assessments of Hamas's intentions evaluated? What information reached senior political decision-makers, and how did they respond? The answers require examining the relationship between political leaders, intelligence organizations, military commanders and the institutions responsible for national security. In November 2025, Israel's State Comptroller published findings criticizing the absence of a formally adopted national security concept and its consequences for decision-making. The report underscored that the failures preceding October 7 could not be understood solely as mistakes made by forces stationed along the border. The debate has consequently moved beyond what happened during the attack to who should conduct a comprehensive national investigation. Israel's existing legal framework provides for a state commission of inquiry, whose members are appointed by the president of the Supreme Court. Alternative proposals have sought different appointment mechanisms, citing concerns about public trust and institutional legitimacy. The question is not whether the disaster should be examined. It is how to conduct an investigation capable of establishing a credible historical record, assigning responsibility where justified and producing recommendations that can prevent similar failures. The families affected by October 7, the communities of southern Israel and the wider public have an enduring interest in those answers. And until the country agrees on a comprehensive investigative process, the distinction between what has already been established and what remains unresolved will continue to shape Israel's national debate. --- Originally published by Morning Week. Free to cite with attribution and a link to https://morningweek.com/article/three-years-after-october-7-israel-still-faces-unanswered-questions-about-its-worst-security-failure.