Hamas’ surprise assault on October 7 caught Israel off guard, resulting in ongoing repercussions throughout the country.
According to a New York Times report, Israeli officials had obtained a document outlining Hamas’ plan for the attack over a year in advance. The document, code-named “Jericho Wall,” spanned roughly 40 pages and detailed a point-by-point description of the deadly incursion that occurred in October. Although the document did not specify the attack date, it precisely mirrored the assault executed by Hamas.
Despite possessing this information, Israeli military and intelligence officials dismissed the plan, deeming it too intricate for Hamas to carry out. The assault on October 7 involved over 1,500 Hamas fighters crossing the border into Israel, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,200 Israelis, with some individuals still held hostage by the militant group.
The New York Times, along with other outlets such as Haaretz, reported on Israel’s advanced knowledge of the attack and the subsequent decision to dismiss the plan as aspirational and overly complex for Hamas.
