RT.com
20 Nov 2023, 23:44 GMT+10
Female Israeli soldiers reportedly said their warnings of increased activity by the militants were ignored
The deadly Hamas attack on Israel could have been prevented if an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) unit made up of women and tasked with monitoring Gaza had been listened to, an unnamed soldier has told the newspaper Haaretz. She cited sexism as the reason for the lack of attention paid to their reports.
In an article published on Friday, the women, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed they had repeatedly alerted their superiors of recent activity by the Palestinian militant group.
According to the outlet, female surveillance troops said months before the incursion that something unusual was about to happen. They reportedly saw militants briefing near the border fence, training to hit tanks and disable cameras, and increased drone activity in the area.
"It's a unit made up entirely of young girls and young female commanders," one interviewed soldier told the outlet. "There is no doubt that if there were men sitting at those screens, things would look different."
The women said that on the day of the Hamas raid, "no one told us there was such a high level of vigilance," referring to claims by senior security officials that they had warned of possible infiltration into border communities.
According to one soldier, three or even two hours would have allowed them to prepare. "The IDF left us like sitting ducks" she said, noting that combat troops "at least had weapons and were killed like heroes" while the female observers "were abandoned by the army and simply slaughtered without having any chance to defend themselves."
In late October, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he had been warned of Hamas' intentions "under no circumstances and at no stage." He apologized and deleted the statement shortly after a wave of criticism from Israeli officials and politicians.
The New York Times has reported that both Netanyahu and top Israeli security officials underestimated the threat from Hamas and did not devote the resources necessary to counter it, in the belief that Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah posed a greater danger.
Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 and taking about 240 people hostage, according to Israeli officials. In response, Netanyahu declared the country to be at war, and the IDF launched massive air strikes and a ground operation in Gaza. Palestinian officials say the death toll on their side has exceed 13,000, with most casualties being children and women.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Iraq Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Iraq Sun.
More InformationISTANBUL/PARIS/BRUSSELS: As searing temperatures blanket much of Europe, wildfires are erupting and evacuation orders are being issued...
VENICE, Italy: Over the weekend, hundreds of protesters marched through the narrow streets of Venice to voice their opposition to billionaire...
PARIS, France: France is taking stronger steps to reduce smoking. A new health rule announced on Saturday will soon ban smoking in...
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed Elon Musk's success has been built on government subsidies. Without...
EVERGLADES, Florida: Over the weekend, a diverse coalition of environmental activists, Native American leaders, and residents gathered...
BEIJING, China: China's national soccer team may struggle to stir excitement, but its humanoid robots are drawing cheers — and not...
JERUSALEM, Israel: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel's success in the war with Iran could open the door to...
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip: Hisham al-Lahham is one of 580 premature babies in Gaza who may die from hunger, according to Gaza's Health...
Washington is losing its dominance in the global artificial intelligence race A growing number of top Western companies are adopting...
(250703) -- HAMA, July 3, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Residents and emergency workers inspect the destruction left behind after a deadly explosion...
(250703) -- GAZA, July 3, 2025 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian premature baby receives medical care at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, in Deir...
Dubai [UAE], July 3 (ANI/WAM): Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai...