How did this happen? Israeli intelligence failures and spiritual warfare

One reporter starkly described them: “The operation was of unprecedented scale, involving thousands of personnel and pieces of equipment, from hang gliders to bulldozers and rockets. Such an effort demands weeks if not months of preparation, and all of it took place under the nose of an Israeli intelligence service that has a deserved reputation as one of the most effective in the world.”

How did such a massive operation remain a secret from one of the most advanced intelligence agencies in the world?

“A huge failure of the intelligence system”

According to Reuters, a “careful campaign of deception” enabled “the worst breach in Israel’s defenses since Arab armies waged war in 1973.” The attack followed two years of subterfuge that kept Hamas’s military plans under wraps while convincing Israel it did not want a conflict. According to a source near Hamas, Israel was led to believe it was containing Hamas by providing economic incentives to Gazan workers. All the while, the group’s fighters were being trained and drilled, often in plain sight.

For example, Hamas constructed a mock Israeli settlement in Gaza where they practiced a military landing and trained to storm it. They even made videos of their maneuvers. At the same time, they convinced Israel that they were more concerned about ensuring Gaza workers had access to jobs across the border. An Israeli army spokesman said, “They caused us to think they wanted money. And all the time they were involved in exercises/drills until they ran riot.”

Listen to the latest episode of The Denison Forum Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform to hear Dr. Denison discuss his recently released book, a commentary on Acts titled Bold Faith: First-Century Lessons for Twenty-First-Century Christians. 

2. Why did Hamas attack Israel? What comes next?

Read more in yesterday’s Daily Article.

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