Lapid Accuses Netanyahu of Ignoring Warnings Before Oct. 7 Attack

Opposition leader Yair Lapid has revealed details of a security briefing with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held weeks before the October 7th Hamas attacks, during which Lapid claims Netanyahu displayed indifference to intelligence warnings about an escalating threat. Lapid stated that he was shocked by Netanyahu's reaction to the intelligence, which indicated that terrorist organizations viewed the situation as an opportunity for escalation.

Lapid recalled holding a press conference on September 20th, amidst widespread focus on judicial reform protests, to warn of a potential catastrophe stemming from the Gaza situation, rising terror threats, and the risk of multi-front escalation. He asserted that his warnings originated from Netanyahu's own security briefings, where he saw intelligence data and was disturbed by both the data and Netanyahu's apparent boredom with the subject.

This revelation comes amid a broader controversy where Prime Minister Netanyahu has instructed his lawyers to file a defamation lawsuit against the newspaper Haaretz, journalist Shlomi Eldar, and others. The lawsuit targets a report alleging that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed had warned Netanyahu of an impending attack shortly before the October 7th Hamas assault. Netanyahu has described the Haaretz investigation as "false."