Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing investigations into his office’s handling of intelligence ahead of the October 7 Hamas attack. Central to the inquiry is whether Netanyahu was informed about the activation of Israeli SIM cards in Gaza hours before the attack, a potential early warning sign.
The investigations focus on three main allegations: manipulating classified documents for political gain, altering protocols during key meetings, and blackmailing a senior IDF officer. According to journalist Ronen Bergman, officials with access to relevant intelligence suggest that Netanyahu’s military secretariat was alerted to the SIM card activation, a result of an espionage operation meant to facilitate communication for Hamas fighters. This revelation directly contradicts Netanyahu’s claims that he had no prior warning of the attack.
The involvement of a senior IDF officer in a reported blackmail scheme adds further complexity to the case, suggesting attempts to suppress the information and shield Netanyahu from political repercussions. If the Prime Minister’s Office was indeed aware of early intelligence, it could undermine Netanyahu’s repeated assertions of being unaware of the impending Hamas assault.
In response, Netanyahu’s office has dismissed the allegations as part of a media campaign aimed at undermining him during wartime. As the investigations continue, public and political pressure mounts on the Prime Minister’s Office to clarify the circumstances surrounding the attack.
