馃嚚馃嚠C么te d'IvoireWest Africa
October 7 attack was an intelligence failure, says Israeli Armed Forces spokesperson
via Abidjan.net10 min read
Colonel Olivier Rafowicz, spokesperson for the Israeli Armed Forces, stated that the October 7, 2023, attack was an intelligence failure, highlighting a lapse in detecting warning signs. Speaking to francophone African journalists, he emphasized that Israel's greatest risk is losing vigilance. Rafowicz also addressed ongoing confrontations with Hezbollah, noting attacks involving hundreds of drones from Hezbollah and Iran, and the discovery of 90-meter-deep tunnels used for military operations and to infiltrate trained combatants into Israel. He asserted that Hezbollah's determination to destroy Israel persists, viewing ceasefires as temporary. The colonel described the conflict as a "war of religion," not against Israelis but against Jews, and expressed Israel's desire for peace with Lebanon if Hezbollah were to disappear. The October 7 attack resulted in 1,200 deaths, over 1,000 military personnel, and 251 kidnapped individuals. Rafowicz also warned against military stagnation and noted that the current conflict is against non-state actors, citing instances of individuals leading civilian lives by day and engaging in armed actions by night, including hospital directors and journalists.
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Sharren Haskel, Israeli Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, discussed Israel's security situation and cooperation in the Middle East with a delegation of French-speaking African journalists during their visit to Israel from June 21 to 25, 2026. Haskel referenced the October 7, 2023, attack, describing it as a "massacre of more than 1,000 people in 6 hours," which she stated remains a significant wound for the Israeli people. She also noted that Hezbollah continues to attack Israel despite a ceasefire, emphasizing that Israel cannot remain inactive and its priority is "the protection of Israel." The Vice-Minister accused Iran of regional destabilization, stating, "Iran finances Boko Haram and terrorists everywhere in Africa," and urged countries concerned about their security to closely monitor negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Despite Israel's intelligence capabilities, which she called the "best intelligence service in the world," Haskel acknowledged that the country was surprised by attacks from multiple fronts, including Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. She characterized the current conflict as a "war against radical Muslims" and reiterated Israel's objective for the region: "We are for stability, equality and freedom." Haskel concluded by highlighting the historical struggle for sovereignty, stating, "We have been fighting for our sovereignty for 1000 years."
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