Halevi: October 7 was preventable, there was no betrayal, and Iran came before Hamas

Former Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi said on Sunday that the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023 “was a failure that could have been prevented”, while rejecting claims that anyone inside Israel's security establishment had helped the attackers, Israel National News and The Media Line reported.

Speaking at a conference organised by the Shurat HaDin legal group at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York, Halevi said: “There was absolutely no betrayal. The political echelon and the country's leadership need to state this clearly and unequivocally.”

He backed a full state inquiry and acknowledged that the army, the Shin Bet and the political leadership had assumed Hamas was focused on governing Gaza. “Our order of priorities was: first Iran, then Hezbollah, and only then Hamas,” he said.

Halevi also recounted the message sent to Hezbollah late that morning as Israel feared a regional war: “We were caught by surprise in Gaza, but we are watching you closely. Should you make even the slightest move, a devastating blow will fall upon Lebanon.” Hezbollah began attacking Israel the following day, dragging Lebanon into a war that devastated the south.

The attack killed about 1,200 people in Israel and 251 hostages were taken to Gaza. Halevi said he also had to press the political leadership to approve a ground operation in Gaza.