Former IDF Southern Command chief reflects on security situation three years after Oct. 7 attacks

Three years have passed since Hamas launched a brutal terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, leaving a deep scar on Israel's collective memory. Maj.-Gen. (res.) Tal Russo, who led the IDF Southern Command from 2010 to 2013, shared his reflections on the nation's security situation three years after the attack. Russo struggled to comprehend what transpired on that fateful day, emphasizing that both the military and the state had crumbled.

He recalled the disbelief he experienced upon witnessing the attack unfold on television, with no apparent state presence to counter the assault. Russo attributed the collapse to early signs of erosion and arrogance that had been lurking for years.

In an interview with Gideon Oko and Amichai Attali on 103FM Radio, Russo recounted his observations during the attack, stating, "I looked at the television and couldn't believe it. I told myself: They'll sweep them away any minute, they'll clear this up any minute, but I didn't understand the collapse of the security systems; the state collapsed."

He acknowledged that civilians, police officers, soldiers, and volunteer organizations were the only forces that managed to thwart the terrorist onslaught. Russo expressed frustration at his inability to fully process the events due to the multitude of factors that contributed to the situation.

The former IDF chief addressed the ongoing debate surrounding the establishment of a state commission of inquiry, suggesting that such an entity could help Israel understand the circumstances leading to the collapse and prevent similar breakdowns in the future. Russo argued that while current investigations by various bodies were necessary, a state commission of inquiry would be beneficial in assigning tasks more effectively.

He lamented the delayed establishment of such an inquiry, emphasizing that it could have improved the response to the disaster.

Russo delved into the gravity of the October 7 attack, emphasizing the lack of a suitable Hebrew word to capture the magnitude of the disaster. He admitted that he had yet to find a fitting term to describe the greatest tragedy Israeli history has witnessed. Russo also discussed the evolution of his perspective on Hamas, describing how Israel's approach to the terrorist organization has shifted over time.

Initially, Hamas was viewed as an enemy, but eventually, it transformed into a partner in a manner Russo found perplexing. He maintained that Hamas should not have been engaged or tolerated, even though it had grown stronger, receiving financial support from Israel.

Throughout his remarks, Russo highlighted instances of erosion within Israel's approach to Hamas, pointing to the arrogance displayed by commanders and politicians who seemed to believe they were in control, unable to grasp the true nature of the threat. The former IDF Southern Command chief concluded by emphasizing the need for a state commission of inquiry to prevent history from repeating itself and to learn from past mistakes.