The Unheard Warnings of Israel’s Female Border Watchwomen

In the months leading up to the October 7 attacks by Hamas, young female conscripts stationed on the Gaza border observed a significant escalation in suspicious activity. Despite passing this information to intelligence and higher-ranking officers, their warnings went unheard. Now, these women are sharing their stories and expressing their frustration at the lack of response from senior IDF officers. The women, known as tatzpitaniyot, played a crucial role in monitoring the border and providing key intelligence. They witnessed regular practice raids, mock hostage-taking, and farmers exhibiting strange behavior near the fence. Some even expressed concern that Hamas was planning a major attack. However, their reports were dismissed, and their concerns were not taken seriously. Their tragic experiences shed light on a broader intelligence failure and raise questions about Israel’s response to these warnings. It is essential to acknowledge and learn from these mistakes to prevent similar tragedies in the future.