Netanyahu's Office Releases Schedule of October 7th Morning Activities

In response to what it termed "recent misinformation," the Prime Minister's Office released Benjamin Netanyahu's schedule for the morning of October 7th, the day Hamas launched its surprise attack. The detailed timeline aims to present the documented sequence of events during the initial hours of the assault.

According to the released schedule, Netanyahu received his first update on the Gaza attack at 6:29 AM from his military secretary. By 6:44 AM, during a second briefing, Netanyahu questioned the lack of early intelligence and requested an assessment of reserve force mobilization needs and potential targeted assassinations of Hamas leadership. His convoy departed for the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv around 7:30 AM, during which he spoke with the Defense Minister, who reported an unclear situation, and instructed that an assessment meeting be convened.

Netanyahu arrived at the Kirya around 8:00 AM, though the Shin Bet recorded his arrival at 8:22 AM. From 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM, he received ongoing intelligence updates. Meanwhile, at 8:40 AM, the Defense Minister met with the IDF Chief of Staff and the Shin Bet Director to formulate a situation assessment for a larger discussion.

A significant point in the timeline indicates that the Prime Minister's military secretary did not receive the initial situation assessment document, prepared by the Shin Bet chief earlier that morning at 5:15 AM, until 9:47 AM. The central assessment meeting convened around 9:55 AM in the situation room, attended by the Defense Minister, IDF Chief of Staff, Mossad Director, Shin Bet Director, 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 infiltrant entry, rejecting a partial reserve mobilization in favor of a full call-up, and issuing orders to prepare for war and simultaneously address the northern front. Following this broader meeting, he held a smaller security consultation with the Defense Minister and the IDF Chief of Staff.