In December 2021, the Israeli military proceeded to upgrading the fence in the Gaza Strip assuring the residents that there is no threat to the residents of the surrounding areas. The upgrade cost $1 billion etcIt took three years to complete.

However, Hamas members managed to cross the fence with great ease on October 7, killing hundreds of civilians.

A Washington Post video shows how Hamas exploited the vulnerabilities of the “Iron Wall” to carry out the deadliest single attack in Israeli history. The video describes how Hamas fighters defused long-range cameras, sophisticated sensors and remote-controlled weapons – a tactic known within the group as the “blinding scheme” – to breach the high-tech fence.

According to the Washington Post, after a thorough examination of the video, 14 breaches of the fence were found in different places. By comparing the footage with maps, satellite images and other data, the journalists pinpointed where the incursions took place — from Erez Pass in the north to Kerem Shalom in the south. Israel said there were about 30 violations in total.

Training videos showing militants attacking mock-ups of Israeli facilities had been posted on social media months earlier and were visible to all. It also found that Hamas had also been expanding its camps for several years, activity visible on widely available online maps. The Post geolocated these camps, using the terrain and other distinguishing features seen in the training videos.

Videos posted on social media after the attack began showed that Hamas fighters had been training for months in the tactics it used to breach the fence.

But Israel’s security establishment misjudged Hamas’ intentions, according to analysts.

“We didn’t think Hamas had that capability, so we didn’t see it coming,” Charles Freilich, Israel’s former deputy national security adviser, told The Post.

The Israel Defense Forces declined to answer questions submitted by The Post for this story, saying it would provide answers “after the war.” The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is under pressure to resign over the security and intelligence failure, also declined to comment.

Watch the related video on how Hamas managed to get over the fence