Ex-Military Secretary Claims Protocols Falsified; Opposition Demands Probe, Netanyahu Cites Betrayal

According to Gil, military intelligence received reports of suspicious activity in Gaza at 3:55 AM on October 7, but the duty officer did not wake him because the situation was described as routine. Gil was awakened at 6:12 AM by the Shin Bet chief of staff, who reported suspicious indicators, including Hamas terrorists descending into underground facilities. Gil stated he woke Netanyahu at 6:29 AM to report a broad Hamas surprise attack, and by 6:40 AM declared that Israel was at war. Gil confirmed that former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar had issued a general war warning to Netanyahu in July 2023, but denied there was any specific, focused warning of an imminent attack immediately before October 7.

Gil also asserted that security recommendations for preemptive operations and the elimination of Hamas leaders in Gaza were repeatedly rejected prior to the attack. He further suggested that ministerial opposition to hostage deals led to the deaths of some hostages who could have been saved and returned earlier. Following these revelations, opposition leaders, including Yair Lapid and Gadi Eisenkot, called for immediate criminal investigations into the Prime Minister's office.

In response, the Likud party accused Gil of knowing about the impending attack and failing to alert the Prime Minister earlier. The party claimed that Gil possessed intelligence since 3:55 AM but delayed waking Netanyahu until 6:29 AM, at which point they claim he failed to provide any intelligence information.