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PBS NewsHourSEP 2024
Israeli Intelligence Chief Resigns Over Oct. 7 Hamas Attack
Above: Relatives of hostages Ziv and Gali Berman stand near the border with the Gaza Strip on Aug. 29, 2024, in Nirim, Israel. Image copyright: Amir Levy/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The buck lands with the person in charge, which, in Israel's case, is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Oct. 7 was an intelligence failure of epic proportions, which resulted in Hamas launching its catastrophic attack. Netanyahu must also publicly accept blame and take responsibility — as others are doing — for his government's inability to carry out its primary task—to protect Israel's citizens.
Narrative B
Mass resignations don't help to provide clarity to Israeli residents about the underlying systemic problems in the lead-up to Oct 7. Israelis deserve to know why the military was found unprepared despite a reported warning of Hamas' large-scale invasion of Israel a year ago. Questions like why the commanders dismissed the armed group's capabilities and why it had diverted resources away from monitoring Gaza remain unanswered.