In a stunning admission of failure, Yossi Sariel, the former commander of the Israeli army's elite intelligence Unit 8200, took full responsibility for the military’s catastrophic defeat during the Al-Aqsa Flood operation on October 7.

Speaking at a meeting held at the Palmachim military base to discuss investigations into the unprecedented intelligence and operational collapse, Sariel described the event as a "serious disease" that had infected the Israeli army, exposing its vulnerabilities against a determined Palestinian resistance led by Hamas.

"I have 100% responsibility. I don’t need or want to share it with anyone," Sariel declared, acknowledging the magnitude of the failure under his watch. The former commander, who resigned in disgrace following the operation, painted a grim picture of the Israeli military’s overconfidence, likening it to a soccer match where the Israeli army, expecting to dominate like "Barcelona against Maccabi Haifa," instead suffered a humiliating "15-0 defeat" at the hands of Hamas fighters.

Sariel emphasized that despite the Israeli army’s advanced intelligence capabilities and superior field weaponry, Hamas outmaneuvered and overwhelmed them for hours, delivering a resounding blow to the occupying forces. "We entered with strong intelligence and field weapons, and yet Hamas defeated us," he admitted, underscoring the resilience and tactical prowess of the Palestinian resistance.

The ex-commander expressed deep frustration over the lack of a thorough investigation into what he called a "fundamental failure." "The most important thing is that the investigation into this has not been done. The essence is missing," Sariel lamented, suggesting that the Israeli military has yet to confront the root causes of its defeat. He added, "When the army appointed me commander of Unit 8200, the expectation was that such things would not happen, but they did… I, Yossi, failed."

The Al-Aqsa Flood operation, a bold and coordinated assault by Hamas, has been hailed by many in Palestine and beyond as a testament to the enduring spirit of resistance against decades of Israeli occupation and oppression. Sariel’s candid remarks reveal the cracks within the Israeli military establishment, raising questions about its ability to maintain its long-standing narrative of invincibility in the face of a steadfast Palestinian struggle for liberation. (ILKHA)