Netanyahu Approved Secret Direct Contact With Hamas in 2025 and Held Covert Channel in 2014 Gaza Conflict

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized then-Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar last year to maintain a direct secret communication channel with Hamas abroad to advance a hostage exchange deal. This contact took place in early 2025, ahead of the second phase of the hostage negotiations in January, and reportedly contributed to a breakthrough. Bar informed cabinet ministers about the channel during the past year, but censorship initially prevented publication until it was unexpectedly cleared recently.

Separately, journalist Ben Caspit reported that in 2014, during Operation Protective Edge, Netanyahu personally managed a covert communication channel with a senior Hamas official, Razi Hamad, through a close businessman associate, Shlomi Fogel. This secret line operated alongside official Israeli negotiations in Cairo, with Netanyahu directing the messaging. The security establishment was unaware of this channel at the time.

Both Netanyahu's office and Fogel have strongly denied these reports. Netanyahu's spokesperson called the 2025 contact claim "an absolute lie," stating the prime minister refused direct negotiations with Hamas, which were conducted only through intermediaries. Regarding the 2014 allegations, the spokesperson said, "It never happened. Netanyahu never authorized such contacts," accusing political opponents of spreading falsehoods to damage the prime minister.

The revelations shed light on Israel's covert diplomatic efforts with Hamas during critical periods, though official denials maintain no direct negotiations took place. The disclosures emerged amid ongoing sensitivity around hostage negotiations and Israel-Hamas relations.