Biden in Tough Spot After Surprise Attack on Israel Exposes Massive Intelligence Failures

If Iran is involved in the attack, experts worry that it might spark a ’regional conflagration' of unprecedented proportions.

President Joe Biden speaks on the terrorist attacks in Israel alongside Secretary of State Antony Blinken from the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington on Oct. 7, 2023. Samuel Corum/Getty Images

WASHINGTON—Israel has been through many wars before, but the recent Hamas assault, which displayed an unexpected level of sophistication and coordination, shocked Israelis and the rest of the world.

Using motorcycles, pickup vehicles, and even paragliders and speed boats, Hamas terrorists penetrated Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip and began killing and kidnapping civilians. They also launched thousands of rockets into Israeli cities starting at 6:30 a.m. on the morning of Oct. 7.