Netanyahu was warned before October 7 - new details emerge
An investigation published on the third anniversary of the Hamas attack reveals new details about warnings Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received from the military leadership in 2023. Documents and testimonies cast doubt on claims that the political leadership was unaware, but do not contain confirmation of an exact date or specific attack scenario.
An investigation published on the third anniversary of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, based on military leadership documents, meeting protocols, and testimonies from former officials, reveals that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received warnings for several months before the attack about the deteriorating security situation and the risk of military escalation. On March 21, 2023, Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi warned Netanyahu about the possible consequences of the internal political crisis, noting that Israel's adversaries perceive the disagreements as a sign of weakness. On July 23, Halevi again drew the prime minister's attention to the weakening of deterrence. On September 7, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant sent Netanyahu a seven-page letter about the growing danger. Former military secretary Avi Gil confirmed receiving warnings but noted the absence of information about a specific attack. The Prime Minister's Office insists that Netanyahu did not receive warnings about an impending invasion. The investigation also revealed discrepancies between Netanyahu's responses to the State Comptroller and original intelligence documents.