RSS
NYT Investigation Finds IDF Unprepared for Hamas’s October 7 attack
IDF begins deploying a new precision-guided munition dubbed ‘Iron Sting’. Photo: IDF
i24 News – According to a New York Times investigation, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly lacked a structured response plan for a potential invasion scenario by Hamas during an attack on October 7.
The investigation, based on interviews with soldiers and officers, revealed that there was either no established plan or it was not practiced or followed.
The IDF believed that Hamas would unlikely breach the Israel-Gaza border extensively, resulting in reduced monitoring of Hamas radio traffic and a perception that such an attack was improbable.
However, following the October 7 incident, where Hamas breached the fence in 30 different points and moved rapidly toward communities bordering Gaza, the extent of the situation became clear. The IDF and Israeli security forces reportedly took hours to comprehend the magnitude of the attack.
Soldiers’ responses were described as impromptu, with communication occurring through WhatsApp groups and reliance on social media for information. Even helicopter pilots were reportedly guided by media reports and Telegram channels to target the responsible terrorists.
The investigation depicted a lack of organized response, with IDF units near Gaza reportedly unprepared and inadequately trained for such a scenario.
Furthermore, delays in recognizing the gravity of the invasion were noted, with an official order for emergency forces to move coming hours after the attack began.
Soldiers found themselves fighting without proper coordination or awareness, resulting in instances where bases were abandoned, soldiers were unaware of attacks until Hamas was in their sleeping quarters, and information about the invasion reaching units hours after the event had started.
The New York Times investigation also highlighted civilians, like Rafael Hayun, aiding soldiers by forwarding messages from civilians under fire, indicating a lack of awareness within some units about attacks on neighboring areas.
The post NYT Investigation Finds IDF Unprepared for Hamas’s October 7 attack first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
RSS
Israeli Strike on Tehran Kills Bodyguard of Slain Hezbollah Chief
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi lays a wreath as he visits the burial site of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, on the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, June 3, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
A member of Lebanese armed group Hezbollah was killed in an Israeli air strike on Tehran alongside a member of an Iran-aligned Iraqi armed group, a senior Lebanese security source told Reuters and the Iraqi group said on Saturday.
The source identified the Hezbollah member as Abu Ali Khalil, who had served as a bodyguard for Hezbollah’s slain chief Hassan Nasrallah. The source said Khalil had been on a religious pilgrimage to Iraq when he met up with a member of the Kataeb Sayyed Al-Shuhada group.
They traveled together to Tehran and were both killed in an Israeli strike there, along with Khalil’s son, the senior security source said. Hezbollah has not joined in Iran’s air strikes against Israel from Lebanon.
Kataeb Sayyed Al-Shuhada published a statement confirming that both the head of its security unit and Khalil had been killed in an Israeli strike.
Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli aerial attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs in September.
Israel and Iran have been trading strikes for nine consecutive days since Israel launched attacks on Iran, saying Tehran was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Iran has said it does not seek nuclear weapons.
The post Israeli Strike on Tehran Kills Bodyguard of Slain Hezbollah Chief first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
RSS
Hamas Financial Officer and Commander Eliminated by IDF in the Gaza Strip
Israeli soldiers operate during a ground operation in the southern Gaza Strip, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, July 3, 2024. Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg/Pool via REUTERS
i24 News – The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), in cooperation with the General Security Service (Shin Bet), announced on Friday the killing of Ibrahim Abu Shamala, a senior financial official in Hamas’ military wing.
The operation took place on June 17th in the central Gaza Strip.
Abu Shamala held several key positions, including financial officer for Hamas’ military wing and assistant to Marwan Issa, the deputy commander of Hamas’ military wing until his elimination in March 2024.
He was responsible for managing all the financial resources of Hamas’ military wing in Gaza, overseeing the planning and execution of the group’s war budget. This involved handling and smuggling millions of dollars into the Gaza Strip to fund Hamas’ military operations.
The post Hamas Financial Officer and Commander Eliminated by IDF in the Gaza Strip first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
RSS
Report: Wary of Assassination by Israel, Khamenei Names 3 Potential Successors
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, May 20, 2025. Photo: Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS
i24 News – Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei named three senior clerics as candidates to succeed him should he be killed, the New York Times reported on Saturday citing unnamed Iranian officials. It is understood the Ayatollah fears he could be assassinated in the coming days.
Khamenei reportedly mostly speaks with his commanders through a trusted aide now, suspending electronic communications.
Khamenei has designated three senior religious figures as candidates to replace him as well as choosing successors in the military chain of command in the likely event that additional senior officials be eliminated.
Earlier on Saturday Israel confirmed the elimination of Saeed Izadi and Bhanam Shahriari.
Shahriari, head of Iran’s Quds Force Weapons Transfer Unit, responsible for arming Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, was killed in an Israeli airstrike over 1,000 km from Israel in western Iran.
The post Report: Wary of Assassination by Israel, Khamenei Names 3 Potential Successors first appeared on Algemeiner.com.