Gallant confirms Hamas warned Shin Bet ahead of Oct. 7, says Netanyahu barred him from US talks
Gallant said Shin Bet relayed Sinwar’s warning and recommended offensive and defensive steps after officials received the message, according to later accounts.
- On Sunday, Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that the Shin Bet security agency received a direct warning from Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar weeks before the Oct 7, 2023, massacre, marking the clearest public confirmation that security officials were aware of an unusual threat.
- Through a backchannel, Sinwar instructed former Palestinian Authority minister Sufian Abu Zaida to relay a warning that he would "shake the prisons," forcing the release of Palestinian security prisoners; Abu Zaida met Sinwar in Gaza on Sept 14, 2023, to receive the precise message.
- After receiving the warning on Sept 15, the Shin Bet recommended both offensive and defensive measures; Then-Shin Bet director Ronen Bar subsequently briefed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and a security consultation was held two days later.
- Reports also indicate UAE officials warned the Shin Bet of potential violence in September 2023, while Gallant alleged Netanyahu kept senior officials in the dark regarding sensitive conversations with American leaders—a claim Netanyahu denies.
- Gallant argued that withholding a warning from a foreign leader represents a "fundamental failure in the overall assessment of the situation," noting that American trust in Netanyahu was "low" during the war.
13 Articles
13 Articles
‘Shake the prisons’: Israel was warned by Hamas before October 7 attack, says ex-defence minister Gallant
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar reportedly sent a warning to Israel before the October 7 attack. Former defence minister Yoav Gallant stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received international alerts about this threat. Gallant expressed that such warnings should have been prioritized as critical security issues. He claimed that Netanyahu excluded senior security officials from crucial discussions during the conflict.
Former Israeli Defense Minister: Even Hamas warned of the attack
Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant stated that shortly before the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Israeli intelligence agencies received a message from the group, but did not connect it to preparations for a large-scale attack. In an...
Former Israeli Defence Minister Joav Galant stated that shortly before the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023, Israeli intelligence services had received a report from the group but had not linked it to the preparation of a large-scale attack.
Yoav Gallant says intelligence assessed message as related to prisoners; opposition leader Golan calls for state inquiry
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