Israel’s State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman on Tuesday published alarming findings about IDF positions along the northern border—findings he says were urgently delivered to Israel’s highest political and military leaders before the devastating October 7 massacre. According to Englman’s report, soldiers stationed along the northern frontier voiced serious concerns, saying that their rules of engagement did not adequately match the threats they faced. Reserve soldiers reportedly lacked suitable weaponry, further compromising their readiness to defend the border effectively. Perhaps most disturbing were testimonies from commanders, who disclosed repeated cancellations of vital patrols due to persistent malfunctions in military vehicles. These operational disruptions severely undermined border security, leaving critical areas vulnerable. Englman emphatically connected these systemic failures to the horrific Simchas Torah massacre, stating: “The massacre on October 7 resulted from numerous and severe deficiencies in border protection. Our surprise inspection of eight outposts before October 7 uncovered alarming gaps. This report was meant to serve as an early warning—submitted well before October 7—to the Prime Minister, Defense Minister, and Chief of Staff.” Highlighting the significance of thorough state audits, Englman urged cooperation from government and military leadership, insisting audits must prompt immediate action to correct deficiencies before tragedy strikes. He noted the delayed release of his findings was due to an internal decision by a subcommittee within his office and emphasized that this current report does not replace the comprehensive audit now underway concerning the October 7 failures. Responding to the report, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit affirmed its recognition of the audit’s importance, indicating that findings were studied and responses submitted back in September 2023. The IDF clarified that these findings related specifically to conditions in July 2023 and argued that they no longer reflect the present operational status. “Prior to the war, the IDF possessed detailed operational plans, specialized training, and rapid-response brigades ready to confront and counter any enemy scenario,” the military statement insisted. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)