'I Was Wrong': Israeli PM Netanyahu Apologises For Blaming Security Chiefs For Hamas Attack

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has apologised for a post in which he blamed Israel's security services for failing to predict Hamas' October 7 attack.

File Photo Of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu

Source : Getty Images

Faced with harsh criticism from allies and the opposition, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologised for an earlier statement in which he blamed security services for the deadly Hamas attack on October 7.

"I was wrong. The things I said following the press conference should not have been said and I apologize for that," Benjamin Netanyahu said in a post on X, shortly after deleting his original statement.

"I give full backing to all the heads of the security services. I am sending strength to the [IDF] chief of staff and the commanders and soldiers of the IDF who are on the frontlines and fighting for our home," the Israeli prime minister added.

טעיתי. דברים שאמרתי בעקבות מסיבת העיתונאים לא היו צריכים להיאמר ואני מתנצל על כך. אני נותן גיבוי מלא לכל ראשי זרועות הביטחון. אני מחזק את הרמטכ״ל ואת מפקדי וחיילי צה״ל שנמצאים בחזית ונלחמים על הבית. יחד ננצח.

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 29, 2023

Previously, the prime minister had stated on the same social media platform that he had never received any warnings of Hamas' "war intentions" at any point in time, emphasising that "all security services, including the head of military intelligence and the head of the Shin Bet, were of the opinion that Hamas was deterred and wanted to reach an agreement," according to an Al Jazeera report. 

His comments drew harsh criticism and were later removed.

Several security chiefs have accepted responsibility for the massive failure, but Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to accept responsibility. "I will not answer that question," said Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the Israeli army. "We are now engaged in a war and are completely focused on it. We, the IDF and Shin Bet, will conduct a thorough investigation and present all findings to the public. Now we are fighting and concentrating on the war," Hagari added, according to Al Jazeera. 

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a close ally of Benjamin Netanyahu, stated, "The problem isn't specific warnings, but the entire erroneous concept." The root of the problem is the policy of containment, fictitious deterrence, and buying temporary quiet for an exorbitant price," the report said. 

Yair Lapid, the leader of the Israeli opposition, said the prime minister had "crossed a red line" by blaming the security and defence services.

"While IDF soldiers and commanders are fighting valiantly against Hamas and Hezbollah, he attempts to blame them rather than support them. Attempts to avoid responsibility and blame the security establishment weaken the IDF while it is fighting Israel's enemies," he said, according to the report.