Netanyahu Accused of Withholding Security Warnings Before Oct. 7 Hamas Attack
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
An investigative report claims Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu withheld security warnings and manipulated facts in a report to the State Comptroller regarding the lead-up to the October 7 Hamas attack. Journalists Ronen Bergman and Yuval Rubovich allege Netanyahu downplayed threats and presented himself as favoring action against Hamas, while security officials repeatedly urged preemptive strikes. Netanyahu's office and the Likud party deny these claims, stating security leaders assured Hamas was contained and Netanyahu was not warned of the impending attack until the morning of October 7.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu allegedly withheld security recommendations before the October 7 Hamas attack, according to an investigative report.
- Journalists claim Netanyahu manipulated facts in a report to the State Comptroller, portraying himself favorably.
- Security officials, including the Shin Bet head, repeatedly warned of escalating threats and urged preemptive strikes.
- Netanyahu reportedly downplayed confrontation risks and prioritized maintaining stability and peace with Saudi Arabia.
- The Likud party denies Netanyahu received prior warnings, stating security leaders assured Hamas was contained.
- The investigation's full details are set to be published on October 9.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly withheld key security recommendations from the State Comptroller in the months leading up to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, according to an investigative report by journalists Ronen Bergman and Yuval Rubovich published by Ynet. The report, released on the third anniversary of the attack, compares a 55-page document submitted by Netanyahu to State Comptroller Matanyahu Engelman in February 2026 with original intelligence memos, directives, and testimonies.
Bergman and Rubovich concluded that Netanyahu's document was an attempt to manipulate facts and obscure responsibility, portraying himself as favoring the elimination of Hamas leaders while depicting the security establishment as an obstacle. However, evidence suggests that both then-IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar recommended targeted assassinations as early as April 6, 2023. Netanyahu, conversely, stated on May 9, 2023, that Israel was "not interested in confrontation with Hamas" and linked the elimination of terrorists to Hamas's engagement in active combat.
Shin Bet head Ronen Bar repeatedly warned of the inevitability of conflict and urged preemptive strikes. On August 21, 2023, Bar told Netanyahu that "we need to strike on our own initiative and thereby prevent the preparation of large-scale terrorist attacks." Netanyahu reportedly responded that a strike "might benefit us, but it will not change the trend." On September 10, 2023, Bar issued a stark warning about the "sharp deterioration of Israel's security situation" and the possibility of a multi-front war, to which Netanyahu allegedly replied that the goal was to ensure "the holidays pass as quietly as possible."
Despite security recommendations, including one from Brig. Gen. Amit Saar on October 3, 2023, advocating for "zero tolerance for precision weapons even at the cost of direct confrontation," Netanyahu's submitted document omitted this phrase, instead stating Hamas was "arming at a moderate pace." On October 1, 2023, Bar requested authorization for a long-planned operation to simultaneously eliminate Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and other senior Hamas officials. Halevi also reported the military's readiness for a large-scale operation in Gaza. Netanyahu reportedly refused to authorize these operations, citing the need for extreme caution and maintaining security stability, prioritizing peace with Saudi Arabia as the "highest goal."
The Likud party responded to the media reports, asserting that Netanyahu received no prior warnings of the Hamas attack. They claimed the opposite is true, citing official protocols submitted to the State Comptroller that show security leaders repeatedly stating Hamas was contained and seeking humanitarian concessions for stability. The party highlighted intelligence reports from May and July 2023, and from Saar and the Shin Bet on October 1 and 3, 2023, which they claim indicated Hamas sought stability and calm, not escalation. The Likud stated Netanyahu was first informed of the attack at 6:29 AM on October 7 and that those who observed the signs in real-time failed to act or inform relevant parties, including the Prime Minister.