Ex-Netanyahu Aide Breaks Silence, Citing 'Too Many Lies'

Retired Major General Avi Gil, who served as Prime Minister Secretary for 18 months, has broken his silence after three years, stating he believes a state inquiry commission will not be established. In an interview with "Israel Hayom," Gil asserted, "There are too many lies in the air, and it is appropriate for the public to know the truth." He emphasized his intention is not to assign blame but to recount his experiences.

Gil was privy to the period preceding October 7, during which tensions escalated between the political echelon and the security establishment, and various warnings were issued. On the morning of the holiday, he was the one who woke the Prime Minister to inform him of the outbreak of war. He subsequently held two phone conversations with Netanyahu at 6:29 AM and 6:40 AM. Gil stated that between these calls, he received additional intelligence, which he conveyed to Netanyahu in the second conversation. He claimed that if this information existed as early as 6:29 AM and someone knew what was about to happen, it would represent a grave scenario.

One of Gil's sharpest accusations concerns transcripts of conversations in the Prime Minister's office. He reported noticing "disproportionate material collection" by individuals close to Netanyahu about two weeks after the war began. He approached the Attorney General to clarify rules regarding transcript usage. Gil further alleged that a stenographer in the office informed him that the then-Chief of Staff, Tzachi Braverman, had demanded she alter the time of a call Gil had with Netanyahu on the morning of October 7. Gil stated he reported this immediately, calling it a criminal act. He urged that any future inquiry commission must review full recordings, not just transcripts, due to potential alterations.

Addressing prior warnings about the Hamas attack and proposals presented to Netanyahu regarding eliminating terror group leaders, Gil stated, "I am not familiar" with a specific Egyptian warning but urged focusing on facts. He also mentioned an Egyptian intelligence plane landing in Israel, staying for just over an hour. If messages or information were conveyed during this visit and not reported, he believes it requires investigation. Gil also commented on a document Netanyahu provided to the State Comptroller, asserting it "does not reflect what really happened," calling it "part of the truth, but not the whole truth."

The Likud party vehemently rejected Gil's claims, labeling the interview part of a "false and political propaganda campaign against Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Likud." The party maintained Netanyahu received no advance warning of the Hamas attack and that security officials repeatedly assessed Hamas as deterred and focused on a settlement. They argued that had Netanyahu been updated in real-time, events might have unfolded differently. Gil, however, stands by his decision to speak, clarifying his goal is not personal, stating, "This is not my truth: this is her truth."