Netanyahu Denies Reports of Secret Indirect Talks with Hamas During 2014 Gaza Conflict

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued his first response to reports alleging he engaged in secret indirect negotiations with Hamas through businessman Shlomi Fogel. The claims, published by Maariv, suggested that Netanyahu maintained a parallel channel of communication with senior Hamas official Razi Hamad during the 2014 Gaza conflict, known as Operation Protective Edge, without the knowledge of Israel's security establishment.

Earlier, Netanyahu's office and Likud party spokesperson Guy Levy strongly denied the allegations, calling them "complete fabrications" and "not even a hint of truth." Netanyahu's spokesperson reiterated that the Prime Minister never authorized such contacts, describing the reports as false briefings by political actors aiming to damage Netanyahu's reputation.

The controversy centers on whether Netanyahu bypassed official security channels to negotiate with Hamas, a claim that, if true, would have significant political and security implications. Netanyahu's firm denial closes the matter for now, with no evidence presented to support the reports. The Prime Minister's office emphasized that no such contacts ever took place.