Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot revealed Tuesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was recommended to carry out a preemptive strike on Hamas in mid-September 2023 but declined for political considerations, according to a statement reported by The Zioneer. Eisenkot also accused Netanyahu and his family of spreading a 'betrayal theory' that itself constitutes a betrayal of state security.
Former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot revealed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was recommended to carry out a preemptive strike on Hamas in mid-September 2023 but chose not to for political reasons, according to a statement reported by The Zioneer. Eisenkot also accused Netanyahu and his family of spreading a 'betrayal theory' that itself constitutes a betrayal of state security.
The statement adds to the ongoing public debate over responsibility for the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Eisenkot, now chairman of the Yashar party and a candidate for prime minister, has been an outspoken critic of the Netanyahu government's security policies. In recent months, he has called for reallocating coalition funds to the military and accused the government of negligence in addressing IDF readiness gaps, as The Zioneer has reported.
Netanyahu has previously blamed senior defense officials for failures before and during the attack, including claims that they deliberately did not wake him on the morning of October 7. The prime minister has also framed Hamas ceasefire demands as an 'enormous defeat' for Israel.
The specifics of Eisenkot's new claim—that a specific recommendation for a preemptive strike existed in September 2023—have not been independently corroborated. The Zioneer will continue to track official responses.
- StrongGadi Eizenkot accuses Netanyahu of lying, calls for state commission of inquiry
- StrongEizenkot: Netanyahu received warnings from Arab sources, UAE, Egypt before Oct. 7
- DevelopingEisenkot says he supported broad strike on Iran in April 2024, claims Netanyahu hesitated
- DevelopingNetanyahu claims defense officials 'deliberately' failed to wake him on Oct. 7 morning
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