Netanyahu Approved Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar's Direct Hamas Contacts During Hostage Negotiations

Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar engaged in direct communications with senior Hamas officials abroad during the 2025 hostage release negotiations amid the conflict. Bar revealed this in a 2025 cabinet meeting, emphasizing that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized these contacts. This information was previously censored but has now been unexpectedly cleared for publication.

Bar noted that Hamas leaders outside Gaza were instrumental in advancing the hostage talks. He also questioned why Netanyahu reassigned his team from the negotiations despite Bar having established the critical Hamas connections. The timing of this disclosure follows an earlier report revealing Netanyahu’s own direct contacts with senior Hamas figure Azzam al-Hamad during Operation Protective Edge, conducted through Netanyahu’s close associate, businessman Shlomi Fogel.

These negotiations were conducted behind the Israeli defense establishment’s back, running parallel to official channels. Defense officials confronted Netanyahu twice about these claims, but he denied knowledge and demanded that Fogel cease his involvement. Despite warnings and summons, Fogel continued, prompting further appeals from defense leaders to Netanyahu, who again denied involvement and was urged to stop Fogel’s direct negotiations. Fogel was eventually summoned and warned about legal violations but presented documented briefings with then-National Security Advisor Yossi Cohen, including messages Netanyahu instructed to be conveyed to al-Hamad.