Netanyahu Conducted Secret Direct Talks with Senior Hamas Official During 2014 Gaza Operation

Journalist Ben Caspit revealed that during the 2014 Gaza conflict known as Operation Protective Edge, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly engaged in direct negotiations with a senior Hamas official, Razi Hamad, in Gaza. This occurred simultaneously while an official Israeli security delegation was conducting ceasefire talks in Cairo on behalf of the Israeli cabinet.

According to Caspit, the security delegation’s trips to Cairo were coordinated and followed Netanyahu’s clear instructions, but unbeknownst to them, Netanyahu maintained a separate, personal, and covert communication channel with Hamad. These secret talks were conducted without intermediaries and without Netanyahu informing the security establishment or the official delegation.

This revelation marks the first and only known instance of an Israeli leader holding direct talks with Hamas without any mediator. The disclosure reportedly shocked Israeli security officials involved in the ceasefire negotiations, with one describing their reaction as "our jaws dropped." Meanwhile, journalist Amit Segal criticized the revelation, questioning whether it was intended to suppress another controversy.

The secret channel operated behind the backs of all official parties while the formal ceasefire negotiations continued in Cairo, highlighting a parallel diplomatic effort by Netanyahu during the conflict.