Ex-PM Aide Accuses Netanyahu's Office of Falsifying Oct. 7 Protocol

Retired Major General Avi Gil, who served as the Military Secretary to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on and after October 7, has publicly accused the Prime Minister's office of altering at least one protocol from the morning of the attack. Gil specifically pointed to former Head of Staff Tzachi Braverman as the individual responsible for the change. The accusation centers on the alleged alteration of the time of a call between Netanyahu and Gil, changing it from 6:40 AM to 6:29 AM.

Braverman is currently under investigation for suspected falsification of protocols. He was questioned under caution in November 2024 and denied the allegations. His lawyer stated that Braverman acted within his authority to correct a clerical error. The investigation file was transferred to the State Prosecutor's Office over a year ago, but a decision on whether to indict has yet to be made and is not expected in the coming month due to the ongoing elections.

Gil confirmed these details in a recent interview, also corroborating reports about a warning from the former head of the Shin Bet. He urged future investigation committees to demand original recordings, not just transcripts. Gil recounted that a stenographer informed him in January that she was instructed by the Head of Staff to change the time of the 6:40 AM call to 6:29 AM, a task she initially refused but was allegedly compelled to perform after Braverman intervened. Gil described the act as "falsification" and expressed his belief that someone was attempting to manipulate narratives surrounding events on October 7.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, in response, has included Gil in a list of individuals he accuses of a "betrayal conspiracy," suggesting Gil knew about the impending attack and failed to act. The Likud party echoed this, releasing a statement claiming Gil is trying to divert attention from his own failures and that he received a message detailing signs of an impending attack, including Hamas communications and unusual activity by Mohammed Deif, but did nothing with the information.

Political figures have reacted strongly to Gil's testimony. Opposition Chairman Yair Lapid stated that Netanyahu ignored warnings and is now trying to rewrite history, warning of future "October 7ths" if he remains in office. Avigdor Lieberman called for an immediate investigation into Netanyahu and his staff for treason and conspiracy. Yair Golan described Gil's testimony as an "earthquake," asserting that Netanyahu's responsibility for the massacre and kidnappings is now clearer than ever.