Former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid has claimed that current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was warned about the growing threat from Hamas in the weeks leading up to the deadly attacks on October 7th. During his testimony before the Israeli Commission of Inquiry, Lapid detailed a series of security briefings he received, including dire warnings from the Shin Bet (Israel’s internal security agency) about the potential for a major escalation of violence. Lapid emphasized that the warnings were based on intelligence reports that indicated Hamas was no longer as deterred by previous Israeli military action as it once was. He stated that he raised these concerns with Netanyahu, who reportedly assured him he was aware of the situation. Lapid’s claims, if true, raise serious questions about Netanyahu’s leadership and his response to the intelligence warnings leading up to the attacks. He accuses Netanyahu of ignoring the advice of security professionals and prioritizing political maneuvering over national security.
