Probe points to ‘failures at highest levels of leadership’ on Oct. 7

Israeli Comptroller Matanyahu Englman says report on October 7 failures to be released soon, blasts former PM Yair Lapid for obstructing the investigation.

By World Israel News Staff

Israel’s State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman revealed that his office’s long-awaited audit on the Nova Music Festival massacre is nearing publication—and that it contains significant new findings.

Speaking at the Security and Technology Conference held on Tuesday at the Jerusalem College of Technology (JCT), Englman stated that the report “differs significantly from the IDF’s internal probe and sheds light on failures at the highest levels of leadership.”

Englman emphasized that his investigation encompasses the full scope of responsibility—from the prime minister and defense minister to the Shin Bet chief, the IDF chief of staff, and other top officials.

“We are not limiting ourselves to field-level mistakes. The public has a right to know what its leaders were doing before, during, and after October 7,” he said.

He also voiced frustration over obstruction from some government officials, singling out former prime minister Yair Lapid for refusing to cooperate. “Everyone must participate in this process—especially those who claimed responsibility publicly,” he added.

The conference was jointly hosted by Makor Rishon and JCT, and it included government officials, defense industry leaders, and technology innovators to explore how artificial intelligence, drone warfare, cybersecurity, and medical technologies are reshaping the future of Israeli national security.

Among the most poignant voices at the conference was JCT alum Dov Oster, former chief technology officer in the Israeli Defense Ministry’s Directorate of Defense R&D and father of Capt. Eitan Oster, an Egoz soldier who fell in Lebanon this past October.

Before being awarded the College’s 2025 Lev Defense Prize, Oster issued a powerful call for national introspection.

“There were soldier deaths in this war that could have been prevented through more effective use of technological means,” Oster said.

“Beyond the personal grief, I have two regrets: that my generation became addicted to comfort and that we developed powerful military technologies but failed to implement them where they were most needed.”

Oster also highlighted the pivotal role played by his alma mater in advancing Israel’s defense infrastructure.

“The Jerusalem College of Technology has played a major role in developing the world’s first laser interception system,” Oster said, referencing the Iron Beam system, an energy air defense system built and directed by Israel.

The Iron Beam successfully made its first publicly revealed operational interception of Hezbollah-launched drones on Wednesday. Last year, JCT alumnus Major H. was awarded JCT’s Lev Defense Prize for his leadership role in developing and operationalizing the laser system.