Netanyahu's Office Releases Timeline of October 7th Attack Response

Amidst renewed political controversy surrounding the initial hours of the Hamas attack on October 7th, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has released a detailed timeline of his actions that morning. The publication aims to counter claims that the Prime Minister was unaware of the severity of the assault or delayed in his response.

The timeline begins at 6:29 AM with the first report of an attack from Gaza to Netanyahu via his military secretary. By 6:44 AM, Netanyahu was reportedly questioning why intelligence had not alerted him and inquiring about the possibility of a large-scale reserve mobilization and targeting Hamas leadership.

Netanyahu departed for the Kirya military headquarters around 7:30 AM, reportedly speaking with the Defense Minister en route who stated the situation was still unclear. He arrived at the Kirya between 8:00 AM and 8:22 AM, according to different records. During this time, the Defense Minister, IDF Chief of Staff, and Shin Bet head were reportedly working to clarify the situation.

According to the Prime Minister's office, the military secretary did not receive a key Shin Bet assessment document until 9:47 AM, though the Shin Bet head had it by 5:15 AM. At 9:55 AM, during a situation assessment meeting with top security officials, Netanyahu reportedly ordered a complete closure of the border, rejected a partial reserve mobilization in favor of a full one, and instructed preparations for a potential surprise opening of a northern front.

The release comes after days of political sparring, including controversial statements by Sara Netanyahu regarding former IDF Chief of Staff Yair Golan. The Prime Minister's office seeks to establish its narrative by presenting a minute-by-minute account, asserting that Netanyahu acted decisively upon receiving a clear picture of the situation, ordering a transition to a war footing.