Avi Gil Accuses Benjamin Netanyahu of Ignoring Pre-Oct. 7 Warnings and Prioritizing Politics Over Hostages
Avi Gil, a former aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accused the Israeli leader of ignoring critical security warnings ahead of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and repeatedly lying about the events of that day, according to an interview with Channel 12. Gil stated that Netanyahu placed personal political considerations above the release of hostages.
Netanyahu rejected the accusations, returning blame to Gil for failing to wake him in time on the morning of October 7 and asserting that none of Gil’s statements were true. According to Gil, security agencies repeatedly warned Netanyahu beforehand that deterrence was eroding. In July 2023, Ronen Bar, the then-head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency, urgently warned the prime minister about a war, and Gil personally delivered a warning letter from military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi that never led to discussions.
Disputes Over Timing and Protocol Alterations
Gil acknowledged massive failures within the military and intelligence apparatus but maintained that available warnings were repeatedly forwarded to Netanyahu. He disputed Netanyahu’s claim that waking him earlier could have prevented the attack, noting that he messaged the prime minister via WhatsApp at 6:29 a.m. Gil called allegations that security officials intentionally withheld information from Netanyahu an obvious lie.
Another allegation involves Netanyahu’s chief of staff, Tzachi Braverman, whom Gil said instructed a minute-taker to alter the recorded time of a phone call between Gil and Netanyahu. Gil stated he reported the alteration to the Attorney General, remarking that changing a protocol means changing the truth.
Political Fallout and Opposition Calls for Investigation
Following the broadcast, opposition politicians demanded investigations into Netanyahu and members of his office. When asked directly whether Netanyahu bears responsibility for the failures surrounding October 7, Gil answered with an explicit yes, adding that leadership cannot exist without responsibility.
The conflict over responsibility highlights deep political divisions in Israel as the country grapples with the fallout from a terror attack.
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