Ex-IDF Chief Eisenkot Accuses Netanyahu of Lying About Pre-Oct. 7 Warnings

Former IDF Chief of Staff and current Yisrael Beiteinu party chairman Gadi Eisenkot stated on Monday that the Shin Bet security agency was aware of a serious situation developing prior to the October 7th Hamas attacks, though they did not anticipate a surprise offensive. Speaking at the International Counter-Terrorism Conference at Reichman University, Eisenkot revealed that a recommendation for targeted assassinations in Gaza was made but never approved, calling it a "very deep failure."

Eisenkot asserted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received warnings from multiple Arab sources, including the UAE and Egypt, as well as from Soufian Abu Zeida, a known mediator between Israel and Hamas. Eisenkot believes Netanyahu is actively avoiding an inquiry into responsibility for the failures leading up to the attack. "Netanyahu knows better than anyone why he is running from the truth, why he wants to bury the truth," Eisenkot said, adding that the Prime Minister's hope is to win the upcoming election to suppress the truth.

Eisenkot pledged that if a new government is formed, a decision to establish a state commission of inquiry with a broad mandate will be made within two weeks. He emphasized that the commission should examine not only the period immediately preceding the massacre but also the preceding years of conduct. Eisenkot recalled presenting Netanyahu with the threat of a raid into Israel even during his tenure as IDF chief of staff, with discussions on the matter occurring after Operation Protective Edge.

Responding to a comment from bereaved father and Likud member Itzik Bonzel, who accused Eisenkot of sending soldiers to their deaths, Eisenkot called the remark "unworthy." He also refuted claims that he opposed the occupation of Gaza or operations in Rafah, stating, "He knows I voted in favor of occupying Gaza, he knows I voted with him for the occupation of Rafah. And despite that, he lies every day." Eisenkot characterized this as a "culture of lies" he hopes will disappear after the elections.