Ex-Defense Minister Gallant Challenges Netanyahu's October 7th Narrative

Former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has directly refuted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claim of not being fully alerted to the impending Hamas attack on October 7th. Appearing on Channel 12's "Meet the Press," Gallant stated that Netanyahu received a warning about a potential multi-front war from a foreign leader two weeks prior to the attack. Gallant asserted that if Netanyahu had shared this information, the intelligence community, including the Mossad and Shin Bet, could have cross-referenced it with other intelligence, potentially leading to a different assessment and possibly preventing the massacre.

Gallant detailed his own actions on the morning of October 7th, saying he woke at 6:15 AM, was informed of alarms by his daughter, and was at a situation assessment with the IDF Chief of Staff by 7:45 AM. By 8:00 AM, he had ordered a full mobilization, declared a state of war, and directed forces northward due to fears of Hezbollah joining the conflict. He addressed the public at 9:00 AM, confirming it was a war. Gallant stated his first conversation with Netanyahu that day was around 10:00 AM, contradicting Netanyahu's narrative that he was unaware until much later.

Netanyahu's office had previously denied the existence of the specific conversation Gallant referenced, but Gallant noted that the UAE, where the foreign leader is from, confirmed the call. Gallant acknowledged that the lack of a formal record doesn't prove a conversation didn't happen, but emphasized that such information, combined with other intelligence and operational signs, should have been integrated into the overall assessment.

The Likud party responded by accusing Gallant of lying and claiming Netanyahu arrived at military headquarters at 8:22 AM and waited for Gallant and the Chief of Staff until 9:55 AM. This public dispute highlights the critical questions surrounding what Netanyahu knew, when he knew it, why he didn't act on certain information, and what his response was.