A former senior aide has made a startling allegation against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming he was directly instructed to formulate a plan aimed at helping the Prime Minister evade political and security responsibility for the devastating Hamas-led attack on October 7.
The Core Allegation
The accusation, reported by The Associated Press on December 23, 2025, comes from a one-time close advisor to Netanyahu. The ex-aide states that following the catastrophic breach of Israel's border defenses, which resulted in significant civilian casualties and hostages taken into Gaza, Netanyahu personally assigned him a sensitive task.
His mission was reportedly to craft a strategic framework designed to shield the Prime Minister from blame for the intelligence and security failures that allowed the surprise assault to occur. This directive allegedly came as the Israeli government and military establishment faced intense public scrutiny over the lapses.
Context of the Claim
The claim surfaces over a year into the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, a conflict triggered by the October 7 attacks. It adds a new layer of political controversy to a war that has already seen profound regional and global repercussions. Netanyahu, who has served as Prime Minister for multiple terms, has consistently defended his government's actions both before and after the attack, often emphasizing the response against Hamas rather than addressing potential pre-war failures.
These allegations, if substantiated, would point to a concerted effort at the highest levels of the Israeli government to manage the narrative and accountability from the earliest days of the crisis. The report does not detail the specific contents of the alleged plan or whether it was ever implemented.
Potential Repercussions and Denials
Such a revelation has the potential to further inflame domestic political tensions within Israel. Netanyahu's government has already faced considerable criticism and widespread public protests related to its handling of the war and the prior security situation. An official plan to deflect responsibility could undermine public trust during a period of national trauma.
While the AP report details the aide's claim, a formal response from Prime Minister Netanyahu's office or the Israeli government to this specific allegation was not immediately outlined in the initial news item. Historically, Netanyahu and his allies have rejected accusations of blame-shifting, framing their focus as squarely on defeating Hamas and securing the release of hostages.
The war itself continues with no clear end in sight, and this political accusation underscores how the aftermath of October 7 continues to shape Israel's internal dynamics alongside the brutal conflict in Gaza.
