Fears over the next Islamist attack laid bare

Briefings from other countries' intelligence services as to the security across Europe paint a stark picture

“Do you think they knew it was going to happen, or it was down to massive failings?” my source asked me.

'“I assume massive failings. I'm not a natural conspiracy theorist and the idea that Israel would want to be intentionally invaded by Islamists is on the crazy scale”

“Well, they had had warnings. I just don't think they believed Hamas could actually pull it off. And that's my point.”

And that really is the point.

Because what happened on October 7th, when around 3000 Hamas terrorists penetrated Israel's Southern border, they were breaking into a heavily fortified nation with some of the best secret services in the world. Mossad knows exactly who the enemy is and keeps close tabs on them, while for decades Israel has had to arm itself against them. The Israeli army boasts 169,500 active personnel and 460,000 reservists, who all receive regular training for war.

The UK standing army is 67,000. Smaller than it was in 1803. And with a further 25,000 reservists, whose preparedness for battle is quite untested. When the Kremlin taunted you could fit the entirety of the UK army inside Wembley stadium, they were tragically not wrong.