Netanyahu's Office Releases Timeline of October 7th Morning Actions

In response to recent criticism and reports alleging delays in communication on the morning of the October 7th attack, the Prime Minister's Office has released a detailed timeline of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's activities. The office stated the timeline aims to refute "misleading publications" regarding his actions during the initial hours of the surprise assault.

According to the timeline provided by the Prime Minister's Office, Netanyahu was first alerted to the attack from Gaza at 6:29 AM by his military secretary. A second call followed at 6:44 AM, during which Netanyahu questioned the lack of prior intelligence and requested an assessment of the need for a large-scale reserve mobilization and the feasibility of targeted assassinations of Hamas leadership.

Netanyahu departed his residence for the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv at 7:30 AM, after his security detail was prepared. En route, he spoke with then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who reported an unclear situation and was instructed by Netanyahu to convene a situation assessment meeting at the Kirya. Netanyahu arrived at the Kirya around 8:00 AM or 8:22 AM, according to Shin Bet records.

From 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM, Netanyahu received intelligence updates and field reports. Concurrently, at 8:40 AM, the Defense Minister convened the then-Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar to formulate a situation assessment for Netanyahu's meeting. The Prime Minister's Office claims that Netanyahu's military secretary only received the Shin Bet's situation assessment document, prepared earlier that morning at 5:15 AM, at 9:47 AM.

At 9:55 AM, Netanyahu chaired a broad security consultation in the Kirya's situation room, attended by the Defense Minister, Chief of Staff, Mossad chief, Shin Bet head, National Security Advisor, and head of the Operations Directorate. The Prime Minister's Office stated that during this meeting, Netanyahu ordered a complete sealing of the border to prevent hostage movement and further infiltrator entry, rejected the IDF's recommendation for partial reserve mobilization in favor of full mobilization, and ordered the issuance of a war order and increased readiness for escalation on the northern border. Following this meeting, Netanyahu held a smaller security consultation with the Defense Minister and Chief of Staff.