Bereaved Families Demand Criminal Probe Into Netanyahu Over October 7th

Bereaved families of victims from the October 7th Hamas attack have filed a criminal complaint against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of fraud, breach of trust, and information security offenses. The families allege that a 55-page document Netanyahu submitted to the State Comptroller in December 2025, and later released to the public in February 2026, contains distorted quotes and misrepresentations intended to absolve him of responsibility for the security failures leading to the attack.

The complaint centers on Netanyahu's account of events preceding the Hamas assault. The families claim his document selectively uses quotes from classified materials, omits crucial details, and presents a biased narrative. They assert that this version contradicts information emerging from subsequent investigations and testimonies, highlighting significant discrepancies.

Key issues raised include Netanyahu's alleged denial of receiving information about Hamas's "Jericho Wall" raid plan, despite claims from investigations that he was repeatedly briefed on various versions of the plan. The families also dispute his portrayal of policies regarding Hamas, citing evidence that he pushed for de-escalation and quiet rather than the "calm and containment" he claimed to have instructed. Furthermore, they contest his assertion that security officials believed Hamas was deterred, arguing that Netanyahu himself promoted this view.

The complaint also addresses the issue of targeted assassinations, with families alleging Netanyahu claimed he pushed for them while security forces blocked them, a narrative they say is reversed in reality. They contend that Netanyahu repeatedly failed to approve proposed assassinations, opting instead to maintain quiet.

Regarding Qatari aid money, the families accuse Netanyahu of knowing about the diversion of funds to Hamas's military wing, despite his claims to the contrary. They allege that this policy was aimed at strengthening Hamas against the Palestinian Authority and maintaining calm in Gaza. The families are demanding a criminal investigation into Netanyahu for alleged fraud and breach of trust, based on what they describe as a false and biased submission to the State Comptroller, and for his conduct in the period before the attack, including alleged warnings he ignored.