Netanyahu's Office Releases October 7th Schedule Amid Criticism
The Prime Minister's Office released Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's schedule for the morning of October 7th, citing "misleading publications" regarding his actions during the initial hours of the Hamas surprise attack. The detailed timeline aims to present the documented sequence of events.
According to the schedule, Netanyahu received his first update on the Gaza attack at 6:29 AM. By 6:44 AM, during a second briefing, he questioned the lack of early intelligence warnings and requested an assessment of reserve force mobilization needs and potential targeted assassinations of Hamas leadership.
Netanyahu's convoy departed for the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv around 7:30 AM. En route, he spoke with the Defense Minister, who reported an unclear situation, and instructed a situation assessment meeting to be convened in the underground command bunker. Netanyahu arrived at the Kirya around 8:00 AM, though Shin Bet records indicate 8:22 AM.
From 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM, Netanyahu received ongoing intelligence updates. Meanwhile, at 8:40 AM, the Defense Minister met with the IDF Chief of Staff and Shin Bet head to formulate a situation assessment. Notably, the military secretary did not receive the Shin Bet's situation assessment document, prepared earlier that morning at 5:15 AM, until 9:47 AM.
The central situation assessment meeting convened around 9:55 AM in the bunker, attended by top security officials including the Defense Minister, IDF Chief of Staff, Mossad chief, Shin Bet head, National Security Advisor, and head of military intelligence. During this meeting, Netanyahu made several key decisions: ordering a complete closure of the border to prevent hostage smuggling and further infiltrantion, rejecting a partial reserve mobilization recommendation in favor of full mobilization, and issuing an order to prepare for a potential northern front conflict.
Following the broader meeting, Netanyahu held a smaller security consultation with the Defense Minister and the IDF Chief of Staff.
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