Netanyahu's October 7 Timeline Sparks Fierce Debate Over His Actions

A detailed timeline of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's actions on October 7, 2023, released by his office, has ignited controversy and conflicting accounts of his response to the Hamas attack. According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Netanyahu received his first notification of the Gaza attack at 6:29 AM via WhatsApp from his military secretary, Major General Avi Gil. A second, recorded call on a secure line followed at 6:40 AM, during which Netanyahu, at his Caesarea villa, inquired about eliminating Hamas leadership and the possibility of kidnappings, while the military secretary described a "special kind of event" and a potential "ground breakthrough."

Sources familiar with the events dispute the significance of Netanyahu's tactical instructions at that early stage, noting that reservist call-ups had already begun. The PMO states Netanyahu departed for the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv at 7:30 AM, after his motorcade was prepared, a claim challenged by eyewitnesses and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, who stated such preparations take minutes, not 45. Netanyahu spoke with then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant en route, who reported a lack of clarity on the situation. He arrived at the Kirya at 8:22 AM, nearly two hours after the attack began.

Netanyahu's office highlighted that Defense Minister Gallant held a preliminary meeting with the IDF Chief of Staff and Shin Bet head before Netanyahu's arrival to form a picture of the events. Netanyahu convened a broader security meeting at 9:55 AM with top military and intelligence officials. During this meeting, he ordered the border sealed to prevent hostage transfers and insisted on a full reservist call-up, contrary to the IDF's initial recommendation for a partial one. Full combat readiness was also declared in the north.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid strongly criticized Netanyahu's actions, asserting that the Prime Minister "barely functioned" until 4:30 PM and initiated no actions himself. Lapid claimed Netanyahu's resistance to a state inquiry stems from this documented inaction, stating that Netanyahu only approved proposals from military leaders and did not independently direct any operational steps. Lapid also alleged Netanyahu offered to form a unity government with him that day.

In contrast, Topaz Luk, an advisor to Netanyahu, tweeted that the Prime Minister was the "only one functioning" and managing the situation on October 7, while other senior officials were in "unprecedented shock." This assertion was met with disbelief and anger from former security officials, who questioned Luk's access and knowledge of closed-door meetings, calling his claims "unprecedented lies and audacity."

The PMO's detailed timeline countered that Netanyahu "continuously monitored" events, asked about eliminating Hamas leadership, and ordered his immediate departure for the Kirya. It stated he arrived at 8:22 AM, received updates, and convened a meeting at 9:55 AM where he ordered the border sealed and a full reservist call-up. The PMO concluded that Netanyahu "acted decisively and clearly" and "turned the tide" of the campaign.