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Top IDF Commander Opted Not to Boost Security After Visiting Nova One Hour Before October 7 Hamas Massacre
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-09-02/ty-article/.premium/top-idf-commander-ignored-risks-after-visiting-nova-mere-hour-before-oct-7-hamas-massacre/00000199-09f0-d21e-a9db-1bfbe01b0000About an hour before the Hamas attack on the Nova music festival on the morning of October 7, the IDF commander in charge arrived at the site after receiving prior intelligence warnings, but he took no preemptive action, Haaretz has learned.
Lieutenant Colonel Haim Cohen, commander of the Northern Brigade in the Gaza Division, observed the massive crowds at the festival and noted that only a handful of police officers were on security duty. But Cohen told military investigators he had no information suggesting that he should act differently or order the festival to be dispersed. It has not yet been clarified exactly what intelligence information was disclosed to him that night.
(snip)
An IDF investigation, obtained by Haaretz, determined that it was a mistake not to consider cancelling or dispersing the festival during the divisional assessment held that night. A deeper discussion might have led to such a decision, despite the division's limited understanding of Hamas' intentions and intelligence constraints.
The investigation also said that Cohen miscalculated when he did not assign a military force to the festival complex, given the size of the crowd, the timing and the sensitive location.
Lieutenant Colonel Haim Cohen, commander of the Northern Brigade in the Gaza Division, observed the massive crowds at the festival and noted that only a handful of police officers were on security duty. But Cohen told military investigators he had no information suggesting that he should act differently or order the festival to be dispersed. It has not yet been clarified exactly what intelligence information was disclosed to him that night.
(snip)
An IDF investigation, obtained by Haaretz, determined that it was a mistake not to consider cancelling or dispersing the festival during the divisional assessment held that night. A deeper discussion might have led to such a decision, despite the division's limited understanding of Hamas' intentions and intelligence constraints.
The investigation also said that Cohen miscalculated when he did not assign a military force to the festival complex, given the size of the crowd, the timing and the sensitive location.
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