Shin Bet Report Blames Netanyahu and His Policies for Hamas Attack on October 7

In a surprising move, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) published a report on Tuesday that took responsibility for significant intelligence failures regarding the October 7 attack by Hamas. The agency also implicated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting that his policies on the Temple Mount, Palestinian prisoners, and judicial reforms contributed to Hamas’s decision to launch its long-planned invasion.

While the report does not mention Netanyahu by name, it highlights his role in allowing the continuation of policies that were introduced under National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. These policies, according to the Shin Bet, played a crucial role in escalating tensions and inciting Hamas. Specifically, the expansion of Jewish access to the Temple Mount, actions that violated its rules, and the harsh treatment of Palestinian prisoners were flagged as aggravating factors.

Netanyahu’s facilitation of Qatari funding to Hamas, as well as his opposition to operations targeting top Hamas leaders, were also cited as contributing to the situation. Additionally, his judicial reform efforts, which sparked massive domestic protests and political unrest, may have weakened the IDF's readiness, allowing Hamas to perceive Israel’s defense capabilities as compromised.

The Role of Shin Bet’s Failures

The Shin Bet’s report largely focused on its own failures, admitting that it misinterpreted Hamas’s intentions before and on the day of the attack. The agency failed to adjust to Hamas as a sophisticated military entity and underestimated its ability to arm itself. Moreover, the Shin Bet did not anticipate Hamas’s attack despite the unusual terrorist activities in the West Bank prior to October 7.

The report acknowledged that the agency was overly reliant on the IDF's high-tech border defenses and too focused on maintaining stability, rather than preparing for the possibility of an escalation. The Shin Bet’s complacency led to its failure to detect the "Walls of Jericho" plan, a Hamas strategy for Israel's destruction, which had been known since 2018.

In an attempt to defend its position, Netanyahu’s inner circle criticized Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar. According to sources, Bar had misread the intelligence picture and failed to alert the prime minister on the night of the attack, a critical lapse in decision-making.

Misguided Policies and the Path to Crisis

Netanyahu’s policies, such as allowing greater Jewish presence on the Temple Mount and worsening conditions for Palestinian prisoners, were seen as provocations by moderate Arab allies and the West. These actions, combined with his judicial reforms, were seen as signals that Hamas could exploit to rally support and escalate violence.

The Shin Bet's failures to address these issues before the attack have now been deemed a significant factor in the tragic events of October 7. Despite knowing of Hamas’s plans for years, the agency failed to prevent the devastating invasion, highlighting serious gaps in both intelligence gathering and internal communication.