Military analyst demands criminal probe into IDF’s October 7th failures

In his assessment, Yehoshua argues that the inquiries conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expose such severe lapses in leadership and accountability that they warrant not only a government-led commission but also a full criminal investigation by the Military Investigative Police.

Yehoshua’s analysis highlights what he sees as a glaring inconsistency in the military’s response to the disaster. “When you read the IDF inquiries, it’s definitely easy to wonder why the Chief Military Prosecution is not considering a criminal investigation against some of those involved in the failure,” he wrote. He points out that even minor incidents, such as training accidents resulting in injuries, typically trigger immediate criminal probes by the Military Investigative Police. Yet, in the case of the October 7 massacre—a calamity that claimed over 1,000 civilian and soldier lives—he finds the current approach of merely acknowledging responsibility and promising belated reforms wholly inadequate.

The analyst’s call for action stems from the IDF’s own findings, which he believes reveal profound questions about command responsibility. “The findings require not only a government investigative committee but also a military investigation,” Yehoshua emphasized, underscoring the need for a dual-track approach to ensure justice and accountability. He contends that the scale of the tragedy demands a robust response beyond internal reviews, which he views as insufficient to address the gravity of the defense echelon’s shortcomings.

Yehoshua’s stinging rebuke has reignited debate over how Israel should reckon with the systemic failures that allowed the massacre to occur. By advocating for criminal investigations, he is pushing for a reckoning that could hold senior military figures legally accountable, a step he sees as essential to restoring trust and preventing future disasters of such magnitude.