New Report on Nova Massacre Alleges IDF Failures

On Thursday, the IDF released the findings of its investigation into the events at the Nova gathering on October 7, where 397 Israelis were killed and 44 others were abducted to the Gaza Strip—11 of whom were later murdered in captivity.

The investigative team concluded that “the IDF failed” in its duty to protect those attending the Reim festival, which became “the single most deadly terror attack in Israel’s history.”

The investigation includes harsh criticism of the commander of the Northern Brigade within the Gaza Division for failing to implement an organized and adequate military preparation process ahead of the event. The brigade did not conduct a proper situational assessment before the party, nor did it adjust the number of security forces accordingly. The report also reveals significant breakdowns in coordination between the IDF and the Israel Police during the attack.

Border security forces were overwhelmed in the early stages of the attack, causing a collapse in the chain of command.

When Hamas terrorists seized control of key intersections near the Gaza border that morning, attendees were unable to escape, and military reinforcements struggled to reach the site.

According to the investigation, Hamas was not initially aware of the Nova festival’s existence and ended up at the location by accident while en route to Netivot. The terrorists took a wrong turn at the Shukda intersection, ultimately arriving at the Re’im parking area.

The report states that the festival’s security detail included 31 armed police officers and 75 unarmed guards, with no involvement from IDF soldiers in the event’s security arrangements.

After organizers submitted a permit request to the police, two planning meetings were held at the Ofakim police station. IDF representatives did not attend either session.

“The party was indeed approved according to orders, but without prior situation assessments, updating the forces in the sector about its existence, defining it as an essential asset if and when there is an operational incident, and examining the commissioners for infiltration into it,” the report stated.

In the early hours of the massacre, intelligence signals were being received, but the Nova party’s existence was never mentioned, and no adjustments were made to force deployment in its vicinity.