New testimony from surveillance post operators on the Gaza border has revealed the scale of the failure that preceded the invasion. Channel 12 News reports that for several months, surveillance post-operators warned about changes in the areas they were watching, saying that special attention was needed and clear warning signs were present. According to the operators, they warned their commanders of training, unusual activity, and preparations near the border. Among other things, they described how more and more people who had not been observed in the area were arriving there, how farmers who used to arrive daily to work their fields had been replaced by others, and how they were seeing a new kind of activity. When they alerted one of the senior officials appointed over the area, they received the response: “I don't want to hear about this foolishness even one more time. If you annoy me again with these things, I will have you brought up on charges.” Related articles: 'When it’s against Hamas – there are no cameras' Katz and Zamir meet: 'We are working together' Haredi battalion eliminates sniper who tried to kill them twice Hamas will pay increasingly heavy prices The report also claims that the surveillance operators, who served on the border and lost friends to murder or abduction in the invasion, are not receiving psychological care from the IDF, and have been presented with the demand to either return to their post within two weeks or forfeit their benefits and move to another position. The IDF responded: "The IDF and it's officers have accompanied all soldiers who were present on the 7th of October closely and with sensitivity. The soldiers are being accompanied by medical and psychological health professionals, in addition to a continual connection with their commanders which gives them a listening ear and environment within which to work. Their return to duty will be carried out gradually, with sensitivity, and according to the individual status of each one. there is no intention to bring charges against any of them. To the degree that there were any statements otherwise, they were contrary to the guidelines and will be dealt wi th accordingly."
