IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir appointed an external team to review and implement lessons from the October 7 attack, the IDF announced Saturday evening.
The external team is composed of senior reservist officers to review and implement the findings of the October 7 investigation conducted by the IDF.
The team will be led by Maj.-Gen. (res.) Sami Turgeman, and its members will include Maj. Gen. (res.) Eli Sharvit, Maj.-Gen. (res.) Amikam Norkin, Maj.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Baidatz, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yuval Bazak, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofer Levi Brig.-Gen. (res.) Meir Finkel, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yom Tov Tamir Col. (res.) Avi Eliyahu, Col. (res.) Talia Lankry, Col. (res.) Beni De-Levi, Col. (res.) Gila Goldrat, and Lt.-Col. (res.) Livnat Bar David.
According to the military, the team was selected based on "their extensive experience and deep familiarity with various military fields, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives."
Turgeman ran the southern command between 2013 and 2015, as such he is seen as an expert in the area. He was already appointed in early March. However, the rest of the team was not appointed.
The significance of the review team
In the following probes, Turgeman could find that IDF Intelligence Chief Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder and some other officers who had been promoted failed in their duties on October 7 and should lose their posts.
Another possibility is that Turgeman could look at October 7 with a wider lens, going beyond the IDF, especially since the Shin Bet report on the disaster is out now.
Turgeman additionally could recommend more changes to the IDF than what Halevi suggested after his probes.
It is unclear how long Turgeman will take with his review: a few months or much longer.
The results of the findings
The team will analyze the findings of the investigation, focusing on the core general staff-level reviews, assess the conclusions drawn, and evaluate the lessons learned.
The team will also develop mechanisms and processes to integrate the lessons into the IDF’s procedures, conduct additional reviews where necessary, and, if required, recommend reinvestigating specific focal points.
Initial conclusions will be presented to Zamir in the next several weeks, followed by a plan for the implementation of lessons, with ongoing monitoring of their adoption at various levels.
In recent weeks, the IDF completed its investigation process regarding the events of October 7, 2023, which included a process of gathering materials and collecting testimonies from civilians, soldiers, and commanders who participated in the fighting.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.