Netanyahu's October 7th Timeline Under Scrutiny Amid Conflicting Accounts

A detailed timeline of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's actions on October 7, 2023, released by his office, has sparked controversy and raised questions about his response to the Hamas attack. According to the prime minister's office, 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 the unfolding situation as a "special event" and a "wide operation." Sources familiar with the matter state that Netanyahu's tactical instructions at that time were irrelevant, as reservist call-ups had already begun.

Netanyahu's departure for the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv has become a focal point of the dispute. His office claims he left at 7:30 AM after his motorcade was prepared, a duration former Prime Minister Yair Lapid disputes, stating such preparations take minutes. Witnesses in Caesarea reportedly saw the motorcade depart later than the stated time. Netanyahu spoke with then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant en route, who reported a lack of a clear picture. He arrived at the Kirya at 8:22 AM, nearly two hours after the attack began, according to Shin Bet records.

Netanyahu's office highlights that Defense Minister Gallant met with the IDF Chief of Staff and Shin Bet head before the prime minister's arrival to form a situational assessment, implying this delayed an immediate operational meeting. Netanyahu entered the Kirya bunker at 9:03 AM and convened a meeting with top security officials at 9:55 AM. 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 call-up. He also ordered full combat readiness in the north.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid has strongly criticized Netanyahu's actions, asserting that the prime minister "barely functioned" until 4:30 PM and initiated no actions, contrary to Netanyahu's claims that he would have acted decisively if alerted earlier. Lapid alleges that Netanyahu is obstructing a state investigation commission due to this documented inaction. Conversely, Topaz Luk, an advisor to Netanyahu, tweeted that the prime minister was the "only one functioning" and managing the situation while other security chiefs were in shock, a claim vehemently denied by senior security officials who questioned Luk's access and knowledge of closed-door meetings.

Netanyahu's office released a more detailed timeline, stating the prime minister "continuously monitored" events, asked about eliminating Hamas leadership, and ordered his departure for the Kirya. It claims he received updates and ordered a full reservist call-up and border sealing, asserting he acted decisively to change the course of the campaign. The timeline also notes calls with international leaders, including the then-Prime Minister of the Netherlands and U.S. President Joe Biden, and a meeting with Lapid at 4:30 PM.