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Retired IDF General Tal Russo Reflects on Israel’s October 7 Collapse Three Years On
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Marking Three Years Since the Oct 7 Attack
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants launched a large-scale assault on Israeli border communities, an event that Israel marks annually. On a Wednesday three years later, citizens gathered to remember the “greatest tragedy” in the nation’s history, and IDF soldiers lowered flags to half-mast at the President’s Residence on October 5, 2026.
Russo’s Assessment of the Collapse
Retired Major-General (res.) Tal Russo, former commander of the IDF Southern Command (2010-2013), said the day revealed a simultaneous failure of both the military and the state. He noted that early signs of “erosion and arrogance” had existed for years, but the scale of the disaster still defies description in Hebrew. Russo emphasized that civilian volunteers, police officers, and soldiers, rather than the state apparatus, were the primary force that halted the attack.
Calls for a State Commission of Inquiry
Russo argued that Israel’s response has relied on internal military investigations and assorted bodies, but a dedicated state commission of inquiry would better assign tasks and prevent future breakdowns. He suggested that such a commission, had it been established closer to the event, could have improved preparedness and accountability.
Evolving View of Hamas
Discussing Hamas, Russo said the organization shifted in Israeli policy from “enemy” to “partner.” He expressed puzzlement over this change, noting that Hamas was once a relatively weak group, later receiving funds and growing stronger, a development he believes signaled early erosion in Israel’s approach.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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.” — Tal Russo
- “Only the heroism of civilians, police officers, soldiers, volunteer organizations - that is what stopped it. There was no state; the IDF wasn’t there,” — Tal Russo
- “Everything consists of internal investigations by the military and various bodies. It is important to establish a state commission of inquiry in order to assign the tasks in an orderly manner. It would have been better if this had happened closer to the event, but it will certainly improve things,” — Tal Russo
- “When I try to define October 7, there isn’t even a word in Hebrew to understand the scale of the disaster, the failure, the massacre. I still haven’t found the appropriate word for the greatest tragedy that has happened to the State of Israel,” — Tal Russo