Former protection minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that Israel did obtain a message from Hamas via a Shin Wager (Israel Safety Company) channel by which Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar warned that he would “shake the prisons,” Gallant instructed Military Radio on Sunday.
Gallant additionally alleged that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stored senior safety officers, together with the protection minister, out of the loop relating to delicate conversations with senior US officers in the course of the battle.
“In the course of the battle, I realized many instances about necessary conversations Netanyahu held with the Individuals on probably the most delicate points, similar to hostages and ammunition, solely after the Individuals referred to as me and tried to confirm what had been mentioned in these conversations,” Gallant mentioned.
“Their belief within the prime minister was low,” he added.
Gallant’s feedback observe new disclosures regarding messages allegedly conveyed by Sinwar within the weeks earlier than the October 7, 2023, bloodbath. Former senior Fatah official Sufian Abu Zaida not too long ago mentioned he had served as an middleman in a secret channel between Israel and Hamas geared toward advancing a prisoner alternate deal.
Gallant’s account provides to public scrutiny over the connection between Netanyahu and Israel’s safety management in the course of the battle. The Prime Minister’s Workplace earlier this month launched Netanyahu’s schedule from the morning of October 7, amid disputes over the timing and nature of communications between the prime minister and senior safety officers because the Hamas assault unfolded.
“I first heard about these warnings from media studies,” Gallant mentioned.
“Assuming these items are true, such a warning {that a} prime minister receives from the chief of a rustic isn’t a political asset; it’s a elementary failure within the general evaluation of the scenario,” he added.
