The “earthquake” promised by the now eliminated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, which led to the devastating attack launched by the organization against Israel on October 7, 2023, is now turning against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, precisely on the eve of general elections.
A thorough investigation by journalists Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval, published this morning in the Israeli press, reveals that a few weeks before the attack, Netanyahu was warned by the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in a confidential 45-minute conversation, based on reports from mediators and advisors. Netanyahu responded with relative calm, estimated that the threat was focused on the West Bank, and did not notify the heads of the Army, the Shin Bet, or the Mossad.
According to the investigation, in the months prior to the massacre, Netanyahu managed indirect contacts with Hamas to reach an economic agreement and a limited prisoner exchange. The deal was practically closed, but Netanyahu postponed its approval, fearing political pressure and controversy surrounding the judicial reform. The negotiations stalled, Sinwar cut off contact, and accelerated preparations for war.
Furthermore, after the outbreak of fighting on October 7, Hamas proposed through Qatar the immediate release of all civilian hostages under minimal initial conditions, although Israel, shocked and focused on the military offensive, refused to discuss the proposals to prioritize the total defeat of the organization.
The Prime Minister’s Office called the information an “absolute lie” and stated that such a conversation never took place.
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In light of the revelations, Gadi Eisenkot, a former senior military officer who is now one of Netanyahu’s main rivals, accused the long-standing leader of evading responsibilities and resorting to “pathetic” excuses, such as saying he was not woken up early enough on the morning of the attack.
“Netanyahu received dozens of warnings before October 7, and ignored them all. He is unfit,” Eisenkot wrote on his X account.
Naftali Bennett, former head of government and also a candidate, said that Netanyahu “has a personal and direct responsibility” for the 1,221 deaths on that day, the bloodiest in the history of the State of Israel.
“Netanyahu cannot remain in his position for one minute longer,” Bennett commented.
