Senior military officers in Israel have testified that there were missed opportunities to target key Hamas leaders, Mohammed Deif and Yahya Sinwar, in the two years leading up to the October seventh attack. Despite recommendations from the military's Southern Command to take action, these proposals were not pursued. The political leadership and former chief of staff prioritized maintaining calm in Gaza and focusing on threats from Iran and Hezbollah, leading to the abandonment of plans to strike top figures in Hamas. An inquiry led by retired Major General Sami Turgeman is now examining these decisions and their consequences.