A recent investigation has uncovered that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was informed of an imminent Hamas attack scheduled for October 7, 2023, but withheld this intelligence from Israel’s security officials. The findings also reveal that Netanyahu rejected a Hamas proposal to release civilian hostages shortly after the initial assault.
According to the report, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar warned in early September that he was preparing an operation described as an “earthquake” (zilzal). This warning was delivered through an Emirati intermediary to Israel’s Shin Bet agency and then directly to Netanyahu. Despite this, Netanyahu reportedly downplayed the threat during a security meeting on October 1.
The investigation, which draws on internal communications and documents, also indicates that Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel warned Netanyahu about a “terrifying operation” Hamas was preparing, but Netanyahu did not reference these warnings in his subsequent discussions.
Following the attack, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani proposed an immediate release of hostages in exchange for a mediator. Israeli officials refused, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stating that negotiations would only occur when Hamas was “on the ground, with their heads underwater.”
Additionally, Hamas leader Rawhi Mushtaha informed an associate of former Fatah official Mohammed Dahlan that Hamas was ready to release all civilians (those under 18 and over 50) without any conditions in return. The offer reached Israeli authorities but was not acted upon.
The report further details significant military response delays, including the seven-hour delay in IDF assistance for communities such as Nahal Oz, and the use of Israel’s “Hannibal Directive,” which led to casualties among Israelis.
Netanyahu’s office has dismissed the findings as an “absolute lie” and stated that he did not speak with Mohammed bin Zayed during the period described.
