Netanyahu: Shin Bet Chief Failed to Warn of October 7 Attack
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu filed a counter-affidavit Sunday, accusing
Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar of
failing to issue an early warning before the Hamas attack on October 7.
Netanyahu stated Bar held a 5:15 AM assessment but
"avoided issuing a war alert" and only recommended
"medium readiness". He also claimed Bar
did not wake senior officials, the IDF, or civilians before the massacre.
The affidavit reveals Bar spent 2023 recommending
economic strengthening of Gaza and described Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as
"level-headed."Netanyahu denied trying to block Bar’s testimony or ordering illegal surveillance, insisting he sought only
"clarification of legal limits."He concluded by highlighting
"serious failures" during Bar’s tenure but stressed his government
"demanded lawful enforcement only."