These days there are more and more voices in the IDF calling on the top of the army to start investigating the events of October 7 and the war that started as a result.
The Chief of Staff on the omission at Amn: "There will be incisive and deep investigations after the war, it is not right to deal with it now" (11/28/23) // David Cohen / Gini
According to many field commanders in the IDF, mainly in the ranks of lieutenant colonel, colonel, and lieutenant colonel, after almost four months of fighting, and after the army significantly reduced the ranks of the forces operating in the Gaza Strip, the time has come to start investigating and even make difficult decisions, before (perhaps ) more complex fighting will begin on the northern front.
One of the commanders of the fighting units who spoke with "Israel Today" in recent days, noted that the discourse on the subject is widespread among many in the army, in various units and formations.
Among other things, he said: "Throughout my service in the army, more than 20 years, our DNA was to investigate every incident in a poignant and in-depth manner.
First of all understand what happened, then understand why it happened to us, and finally think about what needs to be done to improve in the future."
According to him, "At the beginning of the war, when it was not yet clear who was against who, it was right to wait with the investigation. But the waiting phase should have ended a few weeks ago, when the IDF began a significant troop reduction and the release of reservists.
Unfortunately, we get the feeling from the commanders above us that the current situation is 'comfortable for them', since the war has entered a kind of routine.
A house in the Gaza village that was damaged in the events of October 7, photo: Reuters
"The problem is that this routine is conducted on the basis of previous and familiar concepts, and not after thinking outside the box, with the aim of adapting the army to the reality after October 7. This investigation will not be convenient or easy for anyone, but unfortunately the absence of the investigation prevents the drawing of the necessary conclusions to continue. Investigate, it is very difficult to get out of the previous perceptions, and even from the conceptions that led us to the current situation."
draw lessons from Gaza
"If someone thought that the war would end in the next month, then maybe it would be possible to wait longer. But this is not the case," another senior officer told Israel Hayom.
Residents from Gaza break into Gaza Village on October 7, 2023, photo: AP
Those on the side of the approach claim that it is not worth waiting any longer with the investigations, since according to the orders received by the various IDF units, in the air, at sea and on land, the army is preparing for the possibility of war between Israel and Hezbollah if no other way is found to return the residents of the conflict line to their homes and keep the Hezbollah terrorists away from the fence
At the field levels, they believe that it is right and proper to start investigating before the war in the north, among other things with the aim of drawing lessons from the fighting in Gaza, and integrating them in an orderly manner into the building of the force, the operational plans and the training of the forces for the war in the north.
The one who should make the decision on when to start the investigation is the Chief of Staff, Lt. Col. Herzi Halevi, who believes that even now it is not yet time to start investigations, since the army is still in intense combat in Khan Yunis, with no less than five brigades under Division 98.
Chief of Staff Halevi in Gaza with Major General Finkelman, photo: IDF spokesman
Colonel Halevi believes that as long as the second phase of the fighting in Khan Yunis is not over, the attention of the commanders of the Southern Command must be directed mainly to the war, and not to the investigations, and since the Southern Command is a very central part of the investigation, the other bodies also cannot start investigating without it. However, it is estimated that in the coming weeks the Chief of Staff will make a decision to begin an investigation.
Answers after investigation
Rabbi Halevy has previously publicly addressed the issue of the investigations, and among other things said at the end of December that "the many days that have passed since October 7 raise many difficult questions - we are obliged to provide answers to all of them, and we will provide them after a thorough investigation.
We will not skip any question or any lesson."
Some of the senior commanders with whom we have spoken in recent days have increased the claim that it is time for the top of the army to realize the responsibility it has assumed publicly, even if the war in Gaza is not yet over, and despite the possibility that a war in the north may break out in the coming weeks or months.
A Gazan bulldozer breaks through the border fence with Gaza on October 7, photo: None
According to the same sources, even if the resignation letters of the senior army officers are delivered tomorrow morning, there is still a "stopping distance" until the resignation takes effect, until replacements are appointed and an orderly overlap is reached.
Find time to appoint a team
Let us remind you that although the Chief of Staff has not yet made a decision on the start of the internal investigations, he found time to think about which former senior officials he wants in the investigation teams, and among other things he contacted Major General (Res.) Yoav Har-Avan, Chief of Staff and former Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz, Major General ( res.) Sami Turgeman, to Major General (res.) Aharon Zaevi Parkash and Brigadier General (res.) Uri Seifert (Zipo). After receiving criticism from members of the cabinet, Halevi froze the process.
An abducted person is transported on the grounds of Shifa Hospital, October 7, photo: report
It should also be noted that about two weeks ago the Chief of Staff informed the state auditor that he wanted to postpone the date of his audit. The auditor did not accept this.
An IDF spokesperson stated in response: "The investigation process in the IDF will begin in the coming weeks, as soon as the intensity of the war allows it. The IDF and its commanders are now focused on the war and the activities that serve it."
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