New IDF Operations Chief Acknowledges October 7 Intelligence Failure, Calls for Urgent Reform

Brig.-Gen. A., the newly appointed head of the IDF Intelligence Operations Division, opened his tenure by publicly acknowledging a critical lapse in intelligence on October 7 and calling for immediate corrective action.

"On the morning of Simchat Torah, October 7, the Intelligence Division failed in its most important mission—to warn of war—and thus failed to fulfill its role as the first line of defense of the State of Israel," Brig.-Gen. A. said in his inaugural address.

He urged the division to learn from that failure:

"It is our duty to remember the failure, to act with the knowledge that it could also happen on our watch, and to continue the work of correction and assimilation of the lessons."

The Operations Division is one of the three central branches within IDF Military Intelligence and reports directly to the Security Cabinet, underlining its strategic importance in turning operational needs into actionable intelligence.

Brig.-Gen. A. also addressed the human cost of the conflict: "We are in a multi-sectoral, long and challenging war, which has exacted a very heavy and painful price from us: 2,028 fallen, each one a world in its own right, and thousands wounded in body and soul. A war that began with a conceptual, intelligence, and operational failure."

New head of IDF's Intelligence Operations Division, Brig.-Gen. A. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)

Major-General Shlomi Binder, head of Military Intelligence, emphasized the central role of the Operations Brigade:

"The Operations Brigade is one of the cornerstones on which the entire Military Intelligence rests. It is the place where the IDF's operational needs are translated into intelligence missions, responsible for gathering efforts, capabilities, and resources into focused and effective action."

Binder personally endorsed the new commander:

"Dear A., we have known each other for many years. I have seen you command bold and dangerous operations. You are entering turbulent waters, but I am certain with all my heart that you are the right person in the right place and that you will also excel in IDF Intelligence."

The outgoing division head, Brig.-Gen. Meni Liberty, offered his support at the handover:

"A., we've known each other for many years; you're the best of the best. I couldn't be happier that you're the one taking the helm. I wish you all the success in the world and a little more."

Liberty leaves the position after two years and will continue his service as commander of the IDF's 98th Division of the Paratroopers Brigade.

Brig.-Gen. A. was formally presented as the new head of the Operations Division at a ceremony held at Camp Rabin. The event was led by Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai and Maj.-Gen. Shlomi Binder, and attended by members of the General Staff Forum, senior commanders, families, and invited guests.