Netanyahu Asked for Hamas Deal Before Oct. 7, Ex-Shin Bet Chief Claims
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly requested a plan for a settlement with Hamas from former Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, presented just two days before the October 7th attacks. Bar's proposed conditions, including hostage return and halting terror incitement, were reportedly rejected by Netanyahu. The report fuels an ongoing legal battle, with Bar suing Netanyahu for defamation over claims of withheld intelligence on the attack night. Both sides have issued conflicting statements regarding the Shin Bet's plan and the events leading up to October 7th.
The story in 7 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu asked former Shin Bet head Ronen Bar for a Hamas settlement plan two days before Oct. 7.
- Bar's proposed plan included returning four hostages and stopping terror incitement, which Netanyahu reportedly rejected.
- Sources close to Bar accused Netanyahu of a "deception campaign" regarding the Shin Bet plan.
- Netanyahu's office called the report a "complete lie," stating the plan was a Shin Bet initiative.
- Bar recently filed a NIS 3 million defamation lawsuit against Netanyahu over alleged withheld intelligence.
- Bar presented intelligence warnings to Netanyahu in 2023, including a recommendation for a preemptive strike.
- Netanyahu reportedly told Bar he did not want escalation with Gaza and urged judicious use of force.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly asked the former head of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, to formulate a plan for a settlement with Hamas, which was presented to him on October 5, 2023, just two days before the October 7th attacks. This revelation comes amid an ongoing dispute between Netanyahu and Bar, following Netanyahu's claim in an interview that Bar had presented the plan. According to the report, Bar's proposed plan included two conditions for a settlement: the return of four hostages held in Gaza and the cessation of terror incitement from Gaza. However, the report states that Netanyahu refused to include these conditions in the plan.
Sources close to Bar criticized the Prime Minister, calling the claims part of Netanyahu's "deception campaign against the public." Conversely, the Prime Minister's office denied the report, stating it was a "complete lie" and that the plan was a Shin Bet initiative consistent with Bar's stance on maintaining quiet in Gaza and expanding humanitarian aid and worker entry into Israel.
The dispute escalates as Bar recently filed a NIS 3 million defamation lawsuit against Netanyahu. The lawsuit stems from Netanyahu's accusation that Bar knowingly withheld critical information on the night of October 7th. Within the lawsuit, Bar presented intelligence warnings and recommendations he conveyed to Netanyahu throughout 2023, including a September 21st assessment from the Shin Bet's research division recommending a preemptive strike. Netanyahu, according to the documents, expressed no desire for escalation and urged the use of force judiciously.
Bar also reportedly warned of peak terror incitement and recommended eliminating senior Hamas officials on October 1st, 2023, six days before the attack. Bar has stated he takes responsibility for the Shin Bet's part in failing to prevent the October 7th attack but rejects Netanyahu's specific accusations. Netanyahu, however, continues to assert that Bar failed to update him in real-time about the signs observed on the night of the attack, questioning Bar's claim of not having his phone number.
