Ankara:Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu manipulated the details of warnings he received prior to the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. An investigation by the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth and its subsidiary Ynet revealed that Netanyahu's February document misrepresented security discussions by omitting material and altering context.

According to Anadolu Agency, The investigation compared the 55-page document released by Netanyahu with original records, meeting summaries, and testimonies. It identified significant omissions and changes particularly related to warnings issued months before the attack and military action proposals against Hamas.

Netanyahu's document suggested he advocated for the assassination of Hamas leaders, contrasting with senior security officials who preferred maintaining calm in Gaza. However, original records indicated that Netanyahu aimed to preserve calm, declined proposed strikes, and believed Hamas was still deterred despite security officials' warnings.

In April 2023, then-Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and then-army chief Herzi Halevi recommended targeted killings in Gaza. The following month, Bar warned of an unavoidable military campaign and urged preparations for an opening strike and targeted killings. Netanyahu disagreed, citing a 'strong deterrence balance' with Hamas and did not approve the proposed operations.

The investigation also reported an August warning from Bar about eroding Israeli deterrence and the consideration of preemptive action in Gaza. On September 10, Bar alerted that Israel faced a 'serious security situation' with the risk of multiple fronts converging. Netanyahu's objective then was to maintain a peaceful holiday period, as stated in the report.

Netanyahu's February document retained an intelligence assessment of Hamas's moderate capability buildup but omitted a recommendation to act despite potential military escalation.