How Israel’s security apparatus works and why October 7 exposed it

Israel is one of the most militarized countries in the world. A state built around military readiness and its history in their continuous succession of wars and conflicts. Three years ago, Israel suffered what's widely regarded as the worst security failure in its history. 1,195 people were killed in the Hamas-led attacks. Another 251 were taken captive, exposing significant vulnerabilities in a system designed to prevent this kind of breach. Israel operates a multi-layered network of military, intelligence and security agencies. At its core, Shin Bet, responsible for domestic security, Mossad, which handles foreign intelligence, and the army. The entire operation is overseen by the cabinet, and that's led by the prime minister. These were the figures in charge on October 7. Benjamin Netanyahu led the government, Yoav Gallant was defense minister, Herzi Halevi was military chief of staff, and Ronen Bar was head of Shin Bet. Netanyahu is the only one still in office. While reports suggest Israel had received prior intelligence of the attack, blame remains fiercely contested. Netanyahu rejects responsibility. He's repeatedly accused senior security officials of misjudging the threat posed by Hamas and deliberately withholding information. Bar filed a defamation lawsuit in response to those allegations, describing them as a blood libel. Netanyahu is still delaying an independent inquiry, a decision that could have major implications in the upcoming elections. But Israel's security challenges didn't end on October 7. During the war with Iran, dozens of missiles breached one of the most advanced defense systems in the world. That security is now under scrutiny more than ever. The challenge is no longer simply how Israel defends itself, but whether it can do so in a region destabilized by its own aggression. Julie Dager, Al Jazeera.