The Prime Minister’s Office highlighted Friday morning that David Zini’s appointment to lead the Israel Security Agency was primarily driven by his early and prescient warnings about the nation’s unpreparedness for a large-scale assault like the one that took place on October 7.
In a formal statement, officials noted that Zini had been tasked back in March 2022—six months before the deadly incursion—with conducting a review of the Gaza Division’s operational capabilities, particularly in the event of an unexpected attack. The request came directly from the division’s commanding officer. Zini’s findings pointed to significant gaps in defensive strategy and made clear recommendations to bolster readiness.
One section of Zini’s top-secret evaluation, which Prime Minister Netanyahu has now permitted to be shared with the public, warned starkly: “In almost every sector, a surprise raid could be executed against our forces, undermining the concept of ‘surprised but not defeated.’ There are numerous ways to carry out such an attack during routine times. In my view, an above-ground attack represents the most plausible and accessible option.”
In his report, Zini noted that although the phrase “surprise raid” appeared frequently in operational discussions, security personnel and leadership had failed to grasp its practical implications or take the necessary steps to respond adequately.
“The concept of a surprise scenario is not clearly imagined or internalized by our forces,” he wrote. “As a result, operational readiness is seriously lacking.”
He concluded that this lack of clarity surrounding possible threats left the military and broader security establishment without the proper framework to anticipate or respond effectively to emerging dangers: “The main deficiency lies in the situational awareness of both the troops and the wider defense system.”
Netanyahu went ahead with Zini’s nomination on Thursday night, even though both the Attorney General and the Supreme Court had previously ruled that no appointments should be made while the Qatar-Gate probe is still ongoing.
{Matzav.com}