Families of Oct. 7 Victims File Police Complaint Against Netanyahu

Fourteen families who lost loved ones on October 7 and in Hamas captivity have filed a complaint with the Israel Police, demanding a criminal investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They suspect the prime minister attempted to evade responsibility for the events of October 7 by providing misleading information to the State Comptroller and the public, according to a report by Ynet on Sunday, October 18. The complaint stems from Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth investigations into Netanyahu's 55-page document, "The Prime Minister's Response," which outlines his version of the events leading up to the failure on October 7. The document, submitted to the State Comptroller in December 2025 and later to a Knesset committee and the press in February 2026, allegedly contains selectively chosen quotes, omitted information, and out-of-context statements, according to the families. They cite investigations by Ynet journalist Ronen Bergman, interviews with former military secretary Avi Gil, and a defamation lawsuit filed by former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar against Netanyahu as evidence. The families accuse Netanyahu of potential fraud, abuse of public trust, obtaining benefits by deception, and violating the State Comptroller law. The complaint has been sent to the Attorney General and the Head of the Police Investigation and Intelligence Department, Major General Boaz Blat. Among the complainants are the parents of Itai Hen, the family of Yaron Uri Shay, the parents of Roni Eshel, and the family of Tamar and Yonatan Kedem, who lost their daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren. The complaint is supported by lawyers Navot Tel-Tzur, Tal Shapira, Shimshon Albeck, and Ron Barkman, and joined by retired Jerusalem District Court Judge Nava Ben-Or. Key allegations focus on Netanyahu's pre-October 7 policy toward Hamas. While Netanyahu claimed in his response that directives for "calm" and "restrained response" were never issued, the families argue that investigations and Ronen Bar's lawsuit indicate he repeatedly instructed the military to maintain quiet in Gaza and postpone further operations. They also dispute Netanyahu's assessment that Hamas refrained from attacking due to fear of Israeli retaliation, which he allegedly presented as a consensus view and a personal achievement. The families contest Netanyahu's denial of knowledge regarding the "Jericho Wall" plan, asserting that various versions of the plan, including a large-scale invasion scenario, were presented to him over the years. Furthermore, they challenge Netanyahu's claim that he pushed for targeted assassinations in Gaza while security forces obstructed them, presenting evidence that security officials repeatedly proposed intensifying such operations, which Netanyahu allegedly did not approve. The families also demand an investigation into Netanyahu's knowledge of Qatari financial aid being diverted to Hamas's military wing, questioning his initial denial and later downplaying of the amounts involved, which they claim constituted about 50% of the military wing's budget. They allege Netanyahu received warnings about the funding, Hamas's armament, and the threat of war but failed to act. The families suspect Netanyahu's 55-page document was an attempt to deceive the State Comptroller into absolving him of responsibility for the October 7 failures and question the legality of publishing classified documents. Eyal Eshel, father of Roni Eshel, stated that Netanyahu's claims about directives for calm were contradicted by evidence, demanding to know what he knew about the "Jericho Wall" plan. Rubi Hen, father of Itai Hen, contrasted the soldiers' responsibility with Netanyahu's alleged attempt to shift blame through a document of half-truths. Liad Baram accused Netanyahu of seeking public support by concealing information and distorting evidence, emphasizing the complaint's lack of political motivation. Ayala Metzger stated that Netanyahu had been lying to them and that legal action was necessary to extract truth and answers.