A detailed investigation published by the Yedioth Ahronoth daily and its sister outlet, Ynet, has revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu systematically manipulated his official account of security warnings and government briefings received prior to the October 2023 attack. By comparing a 55-page dossier released by Netanyahu in February with original government transcripts, meeting minutes, and official testimonies, the review identified significant alterations, including the redaction of critical information and changes to phrasing that misrepresented his pre-war stance.
The findings contradict the narrative presented in Netanyahu’s February document, which portrayed the prime minister as a leader who persistently pushed for targeted killings of senior Hamas commanders, while characterizing military and intelligence chiefs as reluctant to escalate. In contrast, the original records indicate that Netanyahu repeatedly rejected proposed military initiatives, maintaining that Hamas remained deterred.
Specific instances highlighted by the investigation include formal recommendations made in April 2023 by then-Shin Bet director Ronen Bar and then-military chief of staff Herzi Halevi to strike Hamas leaders in Gaza. A month later, Bar reportedly warned that a full-scale conflict was inevitable and urged the prime minister to prepare for a pre-emptive strike. Netanyahu dismissed these plans, insisting on a strong balance of deterrence. Furthermore, an August 2023 alert from Bar, which cautioned that Israel’s deterrence was actively eroding, was also ignored.
On September 10, less than a month before the cross-border assault, Bar warned of a serious security situation and the risk of multiple battlefronts converging. In response, Netanyahu reportedly instructed security officials to keep the autumn Jewish holiday period as quiet as possible. The investigation also noted that while Netanyahu’s dossier claimed Hamas was arming at a moderate pace, it deliberately redacted intelligence assessments that recommended an immediate strike, even if such action risked wider escalation.
