New Documents Contradict Netanyahu's Account of October 7th

New details revealed by Israel's Kan 11 public broadcaster on Thursday suggest a contradiction in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's account of his actions during the initial hours of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The report indicates Netanyahu received two phone calls at 6:29 AM and 6:40 AM after the assault began, but he did not request to speak with then-IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi. Their first conversation, according to the report, only occurred during a situation assessment meeting at 9:45 AM.

These findings diverge from Netanyahu's recent statements, where he claimed security officials deliberately withheld waking him to prevent him from ordering a broad preemptive strike on Gaza. He asserted that security chiefs believed Hamas was deterred. Netanyahu had previously released a video on Tuesday, stating he saw a record of a request from former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar to keep him on high alert and in secrecy, advising against significant activity at that time.

Netanyahu alleged that the IDF chief, Shin Bet head, and military intelligence chief feared his reaction if informed of the attack. He claimed that had he been woken, he would have ordered the activation of the air force, troop mobilization, and measures to prevent border proximity. This account has fueled political and media debate.

The revelations coincide with controversy surrounding Netanyahu's wife, Sara Netanyahu, who reportedly claimed that Democratic Party leader Yair Golan had prior knowledge of the October 7th events. These remarks drew widespread criticism, prompting Golan to threaten a defamation lawsuit, demanding an apology and at least 2.5 million shekels in compensation for Nova festival survivors.

Netanyahu later responded, rejecting the characterization of his wife's statements as an accusation of treason. He emphasized that the events constituted a failure and that his wife did not use the term treason in her remarks.