Israeli soldiers on duty on the border with the Gaza Strip reported to their intelligence about Hamas's preparations for the October 7 invasion, but their warnings were ignored by a senior officer. This was reported by the Financial Times, citing sources.

Border guards transmitted specific warnings via closed communications that Hamas was preparing to blow up border posts in several places, infiltrate Israel and seize kibbutzim. They also analyzed several videos and concluded that Hamas was rehearsing hostage-taking. In their assessment, the attack was inevitable.

"It's an imaginary scenario," a senior intelligence officer responded to their reports.

According to the sources, the command ignored the signal not only because it came from lower-ranking soldiers, but also because it contradicted the Israeli government's belief that it would contain Hamas through a punitive blockade, bombing its military installations, and appeasement with money and aid.

In the end, no action was taken, and Israel missed the invasion, which is now seen as the biggest failure of Israeli intelligence since Egypt and Syria suddenly attacked on Yom Kippur in 1973.

"After the war, a thorough investigation will be conducted to clarify all the details," the IDF said.