Ahmed Asmar
17 October 2023•Update: 17 October 2023
ANKARA
The director of Israel’s Shin Bet security agency admitted Monday that it had failed to detect the Palestinian Hamas group’s infiltration into Israeli territories on Oct. 7.
"Despite a series of actions we carried out, unfortunately on Saturday, we were unable to generate a sufficient warning that would allow the attack to be thwarted," said Ronen Bar, according to the Times of Israel news website.
"As the one who heads the organization, the responsibility for this is mine," Bar said. "There will be time for investigations. Now we are fighting.”
The fighting began when Hamas on Oct. 7 initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea and air.
It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence against Palestinians.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.
Ten days into the conflict with Hamas, an Israeli bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip has continued, with over 1 million people – almost half the total population of Gaza – having been displaced, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel and medical supplies are running out as civilians flee to its southern region following an Israeli warning to evacuate its northern areas.
At least 2,808 Palestinians, including 750 children, have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.
More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed in the conflict.
