Ex-Netanyahu Aide Reveals Details of Oct. 7, War Decisions

Avi Gil, the former military secretary to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has broken his three-year silence to reveal details about the events leading up to and during the October 7th Hamas attack and the initial months of the war. Gil, who served in the role under Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid, and Netanyahu, stated he decided to speak out due to what he perceives as widespread falsehoods and the absence of a state inquiry commission.

Gil was present with Netanyahu on October 7th, waking him and informing him of the invasion, and participating in the critical early morning phone calls. He also detailed his involvement in the war's early decisions, battlefield strategy discussions, and the hostage crisis. Gil expressed concern that the public is not being told the full truth, warning that he expects a smear campaign against him but insists his testimony is for the good of the state.

He discussed intelligence warnings Netanyahu received prior to the war, including Egyptian intelligence activity that he believes was not fully reported. Gil also revealed his role in addressing the alleged alteration of meeting transcripts in the Prime Minister's office. He reported to the Attorney General that Netanyahu's Chief of Staff, Tzachi Braverman, had requested a stenographer change a meeting time, which Gil considered a criminal act and potentially indicative of a conspiracy to alter the narrative of events.

Gil stated that the document submitted by Netanyahu to the State Comptroller did not reflect the complete truth of what transpired. The Likud party responded, calling the interview part of a political smear campaign aimed at overthrowing the right-wing government and establishing a Palestinian state. They asserted that Netanyahu received no prior warning of the attack and that security officials repeatedly claimed Hamas was deterred and sought a settlement.

The Likud response further claimed that others who saw the signs on the night of October 7th failed to act, and that Netanyahu was the one who insisted on a ground maneuver in Gaza against US pressure and led the subsequent military operations.