Netanyahu Ordered Civilian Arrangement with Hamas Before Oct. 7

Classified documents from security discussions held days before the October 7th Hamas attacks, previously barred from publication by censors, were revealed by Channel 13 News on Saturday. The documents reportedly corroborate claims by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political opponents and security officials that he was aware of escalating tensions in Gaza and pushed for policies later deemed a "conception" failure, such as improving Palestinian living conditions by allowing workers into Israel.

The documents detail a phone security discussion on September 29, 2023, attended by Netanyahu, then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and senior security officials. During this meeting, Netanyahu reportedly stated that given the escalation across all fronts, including Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, there was a need to "define and reduce the escalation." Regarding Gaza, he instructed continued efforts on the border against disturbances and to "sharpen and enhance messages and actions against incendiary balloons." He also directed an "increase in the use of measures in the area of humanitarian benefits, with an emphasis on workers (addition and subtraction depending on the other side's conduct) as an additional tool, beyond offensive tools."

Another security assessment on October 1, 2023, with senior security officials present, saw Netanyahu quoted as saying Israel had an opportunity to advance peace with Saudi Arabia, but that certain actors sought to thwart it. In this context, he issued directives for various fronts. For Gaza, he established a policy of "enhancing the use of measures in the area of humanitarian benefits, for better or worse, to influence Hamas's conduct and policy." Netanyahu also ordered the "advancement of civilian arrangement with Hamas" and preparation for targeted assassinations of Hamas leaders, as recommended by security officials.

National Unity Party Chairman Gadi Eisenkot stated that the revealed documents prove security officials recommended preemptive assassinations in Gaza to Netanyahu, who he accused of fear, procrastination, and irresponsibility. He further alleged Netanyahu submitted a false document to the State Comptroller, calling it an "earthquake" but unsurprising given Netanyahu's past behavior.

Separately, The Atlantic reported that Egypt's then-head of intelligence, Abbas Kamel, visited Israel on September 26, 2023, warning of an imminent large-scale Hamas attack and recommending economic concessions to prevent conflict. The Prime Minister's Office denied this, calling the report "recycled lies" and stating Netanyahu did not meet or speak with Kamel, nor did any Israeli intelligence official convey such a warning to the Prime Minister. The Atlantic report, however, did not claim Kamel met with Netanyahu.