Ex-Netanyahu Aide Claims Protocols Were Falsified, Assassination Orders Rejected

Retired Major General Avi Gill, who served as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military secretary on October 7 and prior, stated in a Channel 12 interview that protocols were falsified in Netanyahu's office and that recommendations for assassinations in Gaza were rejected. Gill asserted that recommendations for counter-terrorism operations in Gaza were made periodically but not approved, and he stands by his statements, acknowledging that leadership has broader considerations.

Gill confirmed reports that former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar issued a war warning to Netanyahu in July 2023. On the morning of October 7, Gill woke the Prime Minister, informing him, "Sir, war has broken out." Bar's warning message stated, "I am issuing you a warning of war today. I cannot give an exact day and time. But this is the warning."

Gill emphasized that there was no specific, targeted warning from Gaza. He explained that he delivered a weekend intelligence report, a personal letter from the Chief of Staff, and a call from the Shin Bet chief to Netanyahu. He questioned how leadership could be separated from responsibility, stating, "There is no leadership without responsibility."

Regarding the alleged falsification, Gill recounted that during the war, he was informed that protocols were being collected in the Prime Minister's office against regulations. He approached the Attorney General about this. He further detailed that in January, a stenographer told him she was instructed by the chief of staff to change the time of a 6:40 AM call to 6:29 AM. Gill considered this a falsification of the truth and reported it to the Attorney General, urging the upcoming inquiry commission and comptroller to demand original recordings, not just transcripts.

When asked why no indictments were filed despite the "criminal conduct" he described, Gill deferred to the police, calling the attempt to alter the call record a serious factual event. He also agreed that some hostages could have been saved and might have returned earlier, suggesting their deaths were political. He recalled instances where ministers like Smotrich and Ben-Gvir opposed potential deals, creating gaps between security recommendations and ministerial decisions.