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A former Israeli Defense Force commander acknowledges Israel’s ‘mistakes’ in response to the October 7th Hamas attack, revealing that his entire unit operated autonomously while evacuating citizens and combatting terrorists.
‘We never anticipated the events of that day,’ Amit Govrin told Daily Mail, describing the disarray as his forces independently managed the surprise offensive.
The ex-commander shared his strategy for ending the conflict, advocating for international pressure on Hamas—not Israel—to release hostages, followed by collaborative efforts to disarm the militant group.
‘Countries should exert significant public pressure directly on Hamas, not Israel, to release the hostages,’ he explained.
Govrin stated that enduring peace would involve ‘signing a regional security agreement with all relevant diplomatic forces’ and addressing threats from Iran.
‘Two years later, Israel needs to establish structure, order, and strategy,’ he stated, describing October 7th as a ‘valuable lesson’ that highlighted gaps in the IDF’s preparedness.
Govrin says his entire unit was acting without orders on October 7th as they evacuated citizens and fought terrorists
Former Israeli Defense Force commander Amit Govrin tells Daily Mail he admits there were some mistakes made on Israel ‘s part, as he recounted his experience serving in the military, and the surprise attack on October 7th
The ex-commander noted that any long-term resolution would also involve addressing regional actors like Iran
When asked what he thought President Trump’s approach should be with Iran, he called for a more aggressive approach
Govrin directly contradicts the Trump administration’s claims that Iran’s nuclear program has been eliminated, warning that Tehran likely still has hidden nuclear sites and active bomb-making ambitions.
‘I am not sure that all the nuclear programs have been dismantled,’ Govrin told Daily Mail, going against the administration’s assertions that U.S. strikes destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
The ex-commander said Iranian officials moving ‘chillers’—machines that cool uranium used to make bombs—from their sites would prove Iran retains nuclear weapons ambitions.
‘When you have the means to do something, that means you probably will do it,’ he warned, citing Iranian leaders’ threats to ‘eliminate Israel’ while calling the U.S. ‘the big devil.’
Govrin called for President Trump to take a ‘very restrictive’ and more aggressive approach toward Iran, saying ‘I think there are more sites and there could be future plans.’
His assessment directly challenges the Trump administration’s public stance that earlier U.S. strikes successfully dismantled Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, though verification of the damage remains limited.
When asked why Netanyahu is not taking any responsibility for the events surrounding October 7th, Govrin responded by saying that many are just keeping their heads down and hoping the storm will be over soon
A U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency assessment found American strikes on Iraniannuclear facilities only delayed the program by ‘a few months’ rather than eliminating it—backing Govrin’s warnings about Iran’s continued capabilities.
When asked who’s winning the war, Govrin delivered a blunt assessment: ‘Until Israel gets the hostages back… we haven’t won.’
The ex-commander suggested Israel is running out of time and criticized the country’s diplomatic strategy, saying ‘Israel didn’t do the best job at keeping our allies closer.’
Govrin ruled out a two-state solution, citing Hamas’s continued control of Gaza and Palestinian support for the terror group.
When pressed on Netanyahu’s refusal to take responsibility for October 7th failures, Govrin hinted at widespread dissatisfaction with current leadership, saying next year’s election ‘will be telling’ and that ‘Israel is ready for new leadership.’
Former Israeli Defense official Amit Govrin, was a company commander in the Givati Brigade, a frontline infantry brigade. Govrin was extensively involved in military operations in the Gaza Strip, including on the October 7’th surprise attack. Govrin led his combat operations in Gaza where he was severely wounded, losing his sight in his right eye
When asked if Netanyahu would survive if President Trump turned his back on him, Govrit gave a telling response
Govrin elaborates that he cannot say for sure that all of Iran’s nuclear sites have actually been destroyed
Govrin says that if Iranian officials were seen moving out ‘chillers’ from their sites – machines that cool the uranium used to make bombs, then that is all the proof they need that Iran still has the same ambitions
‘Until Israel gets the hostages back… we haven’t won,’ Govrin said bluntly
When asked if Netanyahu would survive if President Trump turned against him, Govrin suggested the two leaders maintain a closeness even throughout the turbulence around the ongoing war in Gaza.
“The president and the prime minister are much closer than people think. I don’t think everybody knows or needs to know the level of their cooperation,” he said.
Govrin, a former company commander in the Givati Brigade who was severely wounded and lost sight in his right eye during Gaza operations following October 7th, said Israel’s democracy would ultimately decide Netanyahu’s fate through next year’s election.
