Netanyahu Conducted Secret Direct Talks with Hamas During 2014 Gaza War, Denies Claims

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly engaged in secret direct negotiations with Hamas during the 2014 Gaza conflict, bypassing Israel's security apparatus. According to journalist Ben Caspit's report on Walla, these talks were conducted through Israeli businessman Shlomi Fogel, a close associate of Netanyahu, who communicated directly with senior Hamas official Razi Hamad in Gaza. The discussions, guided by Netanyahu and then-National Security Advisor Yossi Cohen, lasted several weeks by phone, running parallel to official ceasefire talks led by Israeli security chiefs in Egypt, who were unaware of the backchannel.

The official Israeli security delegation, including Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen and military generals, failed to make progress in Cairo, while Netanyahu maintained a covert negotiation channel. When security officials discovered this secret contact, Fogel was summoned for questioning and warned to stop, but the talks continued with his confirmation that he acted under Netanyahu's authorization and received instructions from the National Security Advisor.

Fogel denied the allegations, calling them "fake news." Meanwhile, Knesset member Yulia Malinovsky from Yisrael Beiteinu revealed she had filed a complaint against Fogel in 2024 for suspected contacts with Hamas, linking his business dealings in Gaza to Hamas operatives and asserting the talks were conducted on Netanyahu's behalf without security approval. She criticized the security agencies for not investigating her complaint, suggesting political protection due to Fogel's ties to Netanyahu.

Opposition leader Gadi Eizenkot condemned the revelations, accusing Netanyahu of duplicity by publicly supporting security negotiations while privately engaging Hamas through close associates. He highlighted the chaos and misinformation within Netanyahu's circle during Israel's worst national crisis since 1948, warning that such conduct endangers national security and paves the way for future disasters.

The Prime Minister's office dismissed the report as baseless political smears aimed at damaging Netanyahu's reputation. The controversy adds to ongoing scrutiny of Netanyahu's wartime leadership and his relationship with security institutions.