Israeli army acknowledges Oct. 7 failures, including slow response times and disorganization

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By JOSEF FEDERMAN

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military on Thursday acknowledged a string of errors in its response to the deadly Hamas attacks last Oct. 7, including slow response times and disorganization, as it released the results of its first investigation into failures during the assault that triggered the war in Gaza.

The report focused on the border community of Be’eri, where over 100 people were killed and more than 30 others taken hostage by Hamas. It was among the hardest-hit communities in the early morning attack, and it was the scene of one of the highest-profile confrontations of Oct. 7 – a standoff in which terrorists held a group of hostages inside a home.

Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., Canada, and European Union.

“The army failed in its mission to protect the residents of Kibbutz Be’eri,” the military’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said in a televised address. “It is painful and difficult for me to say that.”

During the standoff, a tank fired at the home, raising concerns that the 13 hostages inside were killed by friendly fire. The military concluded that they were likely killed by Hamas fighters, not Israeli shelling, though it was unclear how it reached that conclusion, and the report called for additional tests. The army said the kibbutz was overrun by about 340 Hamas fighters.

Investigators “determined that, based on the information reviewed and to the best of their understanding, no civilians inside the building were harmed by tank shell fire,” the report said, though it said two Israeli civilians were hit by shrapnel outside the building. One of those civilians died, according to the man’s wife.

It also said commanders on the scene made “professional and responsible decisions” in ordering the tank strike. It said there had been a joint decision by various commanders after hearing gunshots within the house and fighters saying they planned to kill the hostages and commit suicide.

“The team determined that most of the hostages were likely murdered by the terrorists,” the report said.

The report also pointed to delays of several hours in the arrival of military forces and said forces waited outside the kibbutz into the afternoon as residents were being killed, not understanding the severity of the situation.

“This situation is extremely grave and cannot occur,” it said.

The report praised “the bravery of the Be’eri residents and the members of the kibbutz’s civilian rapid response team,” saying it was “crucial in stabilizing the defensive line during the first hours of combat.”

The Israeli army has come under heavy criticism from Palestinians and human rights groups, who say its investigations rarely result in punishment.

Kibbutz residents gave the report a mixed reception, expressing anger over the army’s failures that day but also appreciation that it took responsibility.

Meir Zarbiv, a resident whose brother and sister were both killed on Oct. 7, called the report a “deception” by the army. “I don’t believe the report, and I don’t believe anything about it,” he said.

He said he still cannot understand the delays in arriving and entering the kibbutz. “I just don’t believe what happened here. I have no explanation,” he said. “Where was the army?”

In a statement, the community called the investigation “thorough” and said it helped them understand the complexity of the fighting that day.

“We see great importance in the army accepting the blame and responsibility for its complete failure to protect us and in asking for forgiveness for abandoning us for many hours during an attack of unmatched evil,” it said.

The kibbutz also called for an official state commission of inquiry into the broader failures of Oct. 7 “so the unimaginable loss we experienced will never against be experienced by any other citizen.”

The surprise cross-border raid killed some 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took 250 others hostage, in the deadliest attack in Israel’s 76-year history. The attack, in which several thousand terrorists stormed across the border without resistance, revealed grave shortcomings in the army’s readiness, its intelligence assessments and policies set by political leaders toward Gaza.

An Israeli offensive launched in response to the attack has killed over 38,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities, displaced over 80% of the territory’s people and triggered a humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Israel is now facing war crimes and genocide allegations in international courts.

The army has launched multiple investigations into the failures of Oct. 7, and the head of military intelligence has resigned. Several other commanders have apologized and taken responsibility for their failures.

But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected repeated calls for an official state investigation, even as the war enters its 10th month.

Netanyahu has said an investigation cannot be conducted while the country is focused on its war against Hamas and says all questions will be answered at the appropriate time. But critics accuse the Israeli leader of dragging his feet to avoid what will almost certainly be harsh criticism of his policies and leadership.

At a military ceremony Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the time has come to launch a state commission of inquiry to look into the country’s leadership. “It needs to check me, the minister of defense. It needs to check the prime minister.”

In the face of fierce international criticism, Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until destroying Hamas’ military and governing capabilities and the roughly 120 hostages remaining in Gaza return home. Tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets in weekly protests calling on Netanyahu to reach an immediate cease-fire, saying time is running out to bring the hostages home safely.

International mediators have launched renewed efforts to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

Netanyahu announced Thursday that he would send a team of negotiators to Cairo to continue cease-fire talks, but he reiterated his stance that he will not halt the war until Israel achieves its war objectives.

He was interrupted by hecklers at the same military ceremony when he vowed to continue the war “until victory, even if it takes time.”

As he spoke, a small crowd began to chant “shame.”

___

Associated Press writers Tia Goldenberg and Isaac Scharf contributed to this report.

‘I’m here to take a spot’: Wild top prospect Liam Ohgren is ready to shine

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Liam Ohgren scored the first goal of his NHL career last season shortly after making his debut with the Wild. He recently had the puck framed, and while he thought about sending it back to his native Sweden for safe keeping, there’s a good chance it finds a permanent home at his apartment in Minneapolis.

“It’ll stay if I make the team,” Ohgren said. “Just so I can look at it all the time.”

Think of it as motivation as Ohgren, 20, tries to find his place with the Wild. He arrived at development camp this week with a clear motivation. After a cup of coffee in the NHL towards the end of last season, he’s eager to prove he belongs.

“I’m here to take a spot,” he said. “I want to play in the NHL.”

Listening to general manager Bill Guerin talk about the current roster, it sounds as if Ohgren will be given every opportunity to make the team out of training camp. That said, Ohgren isn’t taking anything for granted.

“I don’t feel like I’m on the team,” he said. “I hope that will change.”

It certainly helps that Ohgren has spent much of the past month around the Twin Cities working out with some of his teammates on and off the ice. That has allowed him to build chemistry with a handful of players he hopes to be playing alongside sooner rather than later.

“This is a good first step to get to know everybody,” Ohgren said. “I’m happy to have done it.”

That put him in position to thrive at development camp this week. To say Ohgren has stood out at at TRIA Rink in St. Paul would be putting it lightly. He has looked extremely sharp in all areas while also looking like a natural while stepping into a leadership role among his peers.

After he finishes up at development camp, Ohgren said he plans to go back to his native Sweden for awhile. He will continue to work out there before returning to Minnesota shortly before training camp. Asked what he think he needs to work on in that span, Ohgren replied, “I have to work on everything,”

That mentality is going to serve Ohgren well as he continues to chase his childhood dream of being a mainstay in the NHL. He already feels like he’s improved since last season when he got a taste of the action. The sky could be the limit this season as he works himself into a role as a regular.

“It was really good for me to get those games last season to kind of see how it feels and to know that I’m actually capable of playing in the NHL,” Ohgren said. “I want to make an impact so we can go on and win a Stanley Cup. That’s my main goal. I’m going to do everything I can to first make the team and then go on from that.”

Briefly

Wild winger Sammy Walker has agree to a 1-year, 2-way contract that will pay him $775,000 in the NHL and $125,000 in the American Hockey Leaue next season.

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Timberwolves Summer League: What to watch for in the rookies and risers

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This is one of the more intriguing Timberwolves’ Summer League rosters in recent memory, for a couple of reasons.

At the top of the list are the rookies, especially Rob Dillingham, whom the Wolves traded up to No. 8 in last month’s NBA Draft to nab; he is expected to play a legitimate role in the upcoming 2024-25 NBA season. But Terrence Shannon Jr. is also a capable scorer with whom local basketball fans are familiar.

And then there are the Timberwolves’ two-way and end-of-roster players from year’s past — guys like Leonard Miller, Josh Minott, Jaylen Clark and Daishen Nix, who also have avenues to NBA minutes next season if they can prove themselves worthy, a process that begins in earnest on Friday, when the Summer League squad opens competition in Las Vegas against New Orleans at 4 p.m. CT.

Here’s what to watch for from Minnesota’s most prominent names:

Rob Dillingham

Not only is Dillingham the biggest name on the list for obvious reasons, but he’s also the most important. Both Tim Connelly and Chris Finch have stated Dillingham will have a role for the Timberwolves next season, meaning the 19-year-old scoring guard will have an impact — positive or negative — on Minnesota’s title pursuit.

Generally, how many points a player scores in Summer League games isn’t a huge deal, but Dillingham is supposed to provide a needed scoring burst off the bench for the Timberwolves next season. So it would be a positive sign for potential future success if the guard can continue to fill it up with a similar efficiency to what he achieved in college while in Las Vegas.

Ideally, Dillingham will consistently lead Minnesota in scoring in Las Vegas and prove difficult for any defender to stay in front of while asserting himself as one of the top talents in Summer League.

Terrence Shannon Jr.

So much of what’s true for Dillingham is true for the Wolves’ other first-round pick in 2024. Shannon Jr. likely won’t be a prominent member of the Timberwolves’ NBA rotation if everyone is healthy next season. But he could be a fill-in option whether injury or situation requires it.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch would likely love to have another scoring option at his disposal to insert if things bog down offensively. Shannon Jr. needs to show he can do what he did his senior year at Illinois — relentlessly attack the rim, execute in transition and be a hounding on-ball defender — in Las Vegas. If he maintains all of those traits, he could prove himself to at least be a situational option for the Timberwolves next year.

Jaylen Clark

The second-round pick from a year ago spent the past year rehabbing his Achilles injury. But Clark has been cleared for the past month, and the 2022-23 national defensive player of the year will be a full-go in Las Vegas.

This one is simple — health. If Clark is able to harass opposing ball handlers at a high level in numerous games over the course of a week-plus and come away looking relatively fit and injury-free, Minnesota will gladly sign up for it.

As for the offense, Summer League assistant coach Max Lefevre said this to reporters this week: “He’s strong, so playing off the catch, one-two dribble, hitting you with his shoulder and going to finish. Getting in the paint and kick out,” Lefevre said. “Really just playing off the catch from the wings, from the corners, getting him downhill, using his physicality to create for other people. That’s how he’s going to play early, at least, in his career, then we’re going to try to add some ball skill where he can handle the ball in other situations. But that’s the start.”

Leonard Miller and Josh Minott

Lefevre noted Minott and Miller both have clear opportunities to earn playing time this next season, likely a nod to the departure of Kyle Anderson.

Anderson’s absence will likely mean more minutes for Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and some of Anderson’s minutes will be swallowed up by recent signee Joe Ingles and perhaps even P.J. Dozier and Dillingham.

But there is an opportunity for a role — even if small — to be a backup forward who could log minutes if one of the Timberwolves’ three big men goes down or the opponent’s lineup construction calls for even more size in the second unit to combat it.

Both are still unfinished products with much polishing left to endure. Consistency in knowing what either would contribute on a night-to-night basis would likely grow Finch’s confidence in Minott or Miller exponentially.

Miller can continue to show himself to be a force on the glass. Wolves Summer League head coach Chris Hines noted Minott’s growth must come on the defensive end.

“Can he defend 1 on 1 on ball? He’s a great off-ball defender. He’s a great help-side defender,” Hines said. “Can he do that consistently, defending on-ball with bigger wings and switching 1 through 4?”

If that can be a constant, then perhaps Minott can earn more court time and, thus, provide more of his wowing athleticism that can send a jolt through a team.

Daishen Nix

The 23-year-old is best known currently in Minnesota as an excellent energy guy at the end of the bench. Often in street clothes as an inactive player, Nix started the trend of highlighting poster dunks by teammates via pointing a finger as play moved back to the opposite end of the floor.

But a more on-court role could be available this upcoming season in the form of a third point guard. Gone are Monte Morris, Jordan McLaughlin and even Anderson. And veteran starter Mike Conley will be 37 next season.

Behind him are Dillingham, who may eventually be the point guard of the future, but can likely only tote so many responsibilities as a rookie, as well as Alexander-Walker and Anthony Edwards, wings with growing playmaking abilities.

But should Conley miss time, it would be valuable for Minnesota to have more of a pure point guard available to stabilize the offense for stretches. That could be Nix. He’ll have a chance in Las Vegas to show his strengths as a floor general who can amplify the play of those around him.

“He’s going to get an opportunity. He’s got to take full advantage of his opportunity,” Hines said. “I think the kid is very skilled. I think he can pass the ball very well, but what can he do consistently? That’s what we want to see.”

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Gophers football players have ‘something to prove’ after five-win regular season in 2023

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The Gophers football team’s internal media day is a prime opportunity for players to look good. After countless workouts to get into their best shape, each one dressed in their Saturday best — new maroon jersey and pants, striped in gold and white — to pose for an array of photos and videos for in-season use.

Preseason All-America left tackle Aireontae Ersery had a black comb in hand to better place his hair just right, while all-Big Ten linebacker Cody Lindenberg had three small white wristbands ready to hug his muscled arms when the cameras flashed.

But a handful of veteran players didn’t feel good on Thursday — at least not when discussing the Gophers’ what-could-have-been 5-7 regular season in 2023. They added a sixth win over Bowling Green in the Quick Lane Bowl.

“It didn’t sit well,” defensive back Jack Henderson said. “I don’t think it sat well with anybody. But we completely flipped the script when December happened and what we have been doing from January to now is night-and-day difference. We are looking for different results this year. We are working really hard and looking at turning it up this fall.”

However, ESPN and a handful of betting sites don’t foresee an uptick in wins this fall. Six prognosticators peg the Gophers’ over/under win total between 4.5 and 5.5 this fall. ESPN’s model has the U at 5.3 wins.

“Ignore it,” Ersery said about his reaction to those projections. “Focus on the now. Focus on our team. Focus on the (offensive) line. Focus on continuing to get better every day.”

Defensive end Danny Striggow said in an ideal world a positive thing motivates players. But when it was negative, no one is needed to push buttons or light a fire, he said.

“Sometimes you need a kick in the butt,” Striggow said. “Hey, what we did last year didn’t work. We are going to use that to change how we work this year to be able to say, ‘I don’t want to go through another season like that.’ ”

Striggow lamented the 37-34 loss to Northwestern in September and the 49-30 loss to Purdue in November. The 27-26 defeat to Illinois in early November can also be thrown in the mix as winnable games that got away.

“At the end of the day, you look back at the season (and) we left so much (meat) on the bone, we left a lot of things out there,” Striggow said. “It spoke for itself for a lot of guys on the team.”

Defensive tackle Jalen Logan-Redding offered: “I feel like a lot of people are underestimating us as a team.”

Why? “Because they look at that schedule and see we don’t have any talented players — and that is truly not it,” he replied.

Another tough schedule awaits the Gophers, starting in less than 50 days with the opener against North Carolina at Huntington Bank Stadium on Aug. 29. After Rhode Island and Nevada visit Minneapolis, the Gophers host rival Iowa and travel to defending national champion Michigan to end September.

October starts with Big Ten newcomers: Southern Cal at home on Oct. 5, followed by UCLA at the Rose Bowl on Oct. 12.  Maryland, Illinois and Rutgers are next up, with Penn State at home and a road trip to rival Wisconsin to close November.

The Gophers’ depth was stretched in 2023, primary at linebacker but also receiver, where contributor Le’Meke Brockington missed the majority of the season with a broken leg.

“I kind of feel like we have something to prove, especially with a lot of guys going down last year,” Brokington said. “Our depth started getting low, just a bunch of injuries and some freshman guys who had to step in way earlier than they thought. I feel like we got more to prove.”

Fellow receiver Daniel Jackson said he’s grown used to outside naysayers during his five years in Dinkytown.

“Overlooked or under-looked, I don’t think it really matters,” he said. “I don’t typically have an opinion on that because a lot of people know we are Minnesota football. We are never going to be the most highly touted team ever, so that comes with the territory (and it’s about) using that to hunger you.”

Setting the line

A sampling of over/under predictions for the Gophers football team’s win total this fall:

5.5 — Fan Duel, Covers.com, BetMGM

5 — DraftKings

4.5 — Vegas Insider

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