Netanyahu Reportedly Rejected Targeted Hamas Killings Before Oct. 7

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly rejected the possibility of conducting targeted assassinations of Hamas officials in Gaza three weeks before the October 7 attack, according to Israeli Channel N12. The report states that on September 13, 2023, during a meeting with the then-head of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, and other security officials, Netanyahu questioned the feasibility of targeting Hamas leaders. Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar reportedly responded that targeting them in their Gaza offices was possible. Netanyahu, however, is quoted as saying, "Airstrikes in Gaza? Only in the event of a terrible attack. Otherwise, something limited is better." Concurrently, the Prime Minister allegedly instructed to continue discussions aimed at providing economic benefits to Hamas in exchange for maintaining calm. Following these directives, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories met with Qatari envoy Mohammed al-Emadi to advance an agreement with the organization.

These revelations emerge a day after Ronen Bar filed a multi-million shekel lawsuit against Benjamin Netanyahu. In his lawsuit, the former Shin Bet chief claims he alerted the Prime Minister almost weekly in the months leading up to October 7 about the risks of a simultaneous escalation on multiple fronts, particularly emphasizing the threat from Gaza as Jewish holidays approached. He asserts he proposed several operations targeting Hamas leaders but received no favorable response. Channel N12 noted, however, that the September 13 meeting and the proposals discussed were not included in Bar's lawsuit. The Prime Minister's office declined to comment on the report.