HAMAS was able to launch a full-scale attack on Israeli territory despite the country’s Iron Dome defence system in what experts are calling an “embarrassing intelligence failure”.
The unprecedented morning attack from has killed and injured hundreds of Israeli and Palestinian civilians, and it is feared the death toll will increase in the coming days.
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In response to the thousands of rockets launched into their territory, Israel has declared a state of war against Palestine.
Israel has been known for its high technology weapons and defence systems, including drones, which revolutionised the modern battlefield.
They also created futuristic robotic unmanned vehicles which patrol the border of the Gaza Strip.
The high tech nation also launched its first spy satellite into space in 1988, gaining membership in the exclusive club of just eight nations with independent satellite-launching capabilities.
But the failure of Israel’s “iron-clad” defence system – which was said to be 90 per cent effective at bringing down targets – has been highlighted in the wake of the attack today.
Israel’s renowned £40million “Iron Dome” system could not keep up with the thousands of rockets this morning from Palestine.
Dozens of Israeli Defence Force fighter jets have since carried out strikes on 17 military compounds and four operational command centres belonging to the Hamas terrorist organisation.
International relations professor and Chatham House Associate Fellow Yossi Mekelberg revealed to The Sun that the surprise attack from Hamas marks a “major escalation” in Israeli-Palestinian relations.
He said: “It’s unprecedented, because Hamas managed to enter towns, villages and the rest.
“The fact is Israel had a complete intelligence failure, operational failure, the fact that they’ve managed to enter the country so easily, that’s a big embarrassment and a big challenge from a security point of view.
“Hamas may have sensed weakness in Israel, and the Palestinian issue was sidelined by the international community. And within the Palestinian political system, they see a little hope of change. There is an accumulated frustration.”
Around 50 Israeli citizens and a large number of Israeli Defence Force members are being held hostage by Hamas near the Gaza Border, in the Be’eri kibbutz.
David Khalfa, co-director of the North Africa and Middle East Observatory at French think tank the Foundation Jean-Jaurès told France 24 that Hamas took advantage of Israel’s weakness.
Recent political upheaval in Israel – including violent riots -may have taken the intelligence agencies focus away from Gaza and more towards matters at home.
Earlier this year, tens of thousands of protesters clashed with riot police outside parliament.
He said: “It is a major failure for the Israeli intelligence services. A failure that could even be described as historic and without exaggerating, could be compared to what happened in 1973.
“Israel is a country that is on permanent alert, ready to go into battle at any time. It is always on its toes.
“It is clear that there was a certain degree of unpreparedness, probably an error in the analysis and estimation on the part of Israeli intelligence services, but also in the preparation of Israeli special forces.”
In response to the recent attacks today that were unable to be predicted, the IDF has launched a large-scale operation called “Swords of Iron” to defend its citizens.
An important date
The early morning attack was unleashed into Israeli territory on Shemini Atzeret – a major Jewish holiday.
Mekelberg said he doesn’t believe the choice of date was a coincidence, as October 7 also marks the 50th Anniversary of the Yom Kippur War between Israel and Palestine, which began on October 7, 1973.
Mekelberg explained: “It’s a Jewish holiday today. It’s also the Sabbath, this would be the right time to do that… and Hamas probably succeeded beyond their wildest dreams.
“At the end of the day, it’s something a lot of us saw a long time coming. Without a solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict in a way that is fair and just for everyone and provides security for everyone between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.
The living conditions for the 2million people living inside of the 365 square kilometre Gaza Strip are “impossible”, Mekelberg said.
“If you look at the last 16 or 17 years in Gaza, they’ve been under blockade and siege and have been run by Hamas – understand that these conditions are conducive to one thing – violence,” he said.
“And unless the conditions on the ground change, this is what we get as a result.”
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