The New York Times reports Israeli officials obtained Hamas's battle plan for the Oct. 7 terrorist attack more than a year before it happened, documents, emails and interviews show. Former deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes joins to discuss.

Israel Knew of Hamas’ Devastating Attack Plan More Than a Year Ago: NYT

The attack on Israel in early October killed around 1,200 people, and officials were aware of the battle plans prior to the invasion, the Times reported

The attack on Israel in early October killed around 1,200 people, and officials were aware of the battle plans prior to the invasion, the Times reported, citing a 40-page document code-named "Jericho Wall" by Israeli authorities.

Officials believed Hamas was not capable of enacting the attack, even in the face of warnings from internal intelligence, the Times reported.

The plan detailed the use of drones to disable security cameras, automated machine guns along the border between Gaza and Israel, rockets fired at the start of the attack and streams of gunmen pouring into the country, the Times reported.

The document also included sensitive intelligence about Israel's military forces and command centers, according to the Times.

In July, an analyst with Israel's signals intelligence agency flagged that Hamas had held an intensive training exercise that closely resembled one outlined in the blueprint, according to the Times.

The analyst said the exercise matched "the content of Jericho Wall," according to an encrypted email reviewed by the outlet. A colonel in the Gaza division did not heed her concerns, the Times reported.

“It is a plan designed to start a war,” the analyst added, per the Times. “It’s not just a raid on a village.”

According to the Times, officials privately admitted that the country could have either prevented or diminished the attacks if it had taken the warnings seriously. The Hamas attack was the deadliest day in Israel's history, and the resulting war has led to the death of thousands in Gaza, many of whom are reported to be women and children.

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The Jericho Wall document explicitly detailed the rocket attacks that would be launched to distract Israeli soldiers while Hamas fighters stormed across the border into Israel, per the Times. It was named after the ancient stone walls in modern-day West Bank.

According to the Times, the document opened with the Quran quote “Surprise them through the gate. If you do, you will certainly prevail," which has been used in Hamas statements and videos since the initial attack.

( Source: Video - MSNBC | Text Excerpt - The Messenger )