Israel’s 7 October inquiry dispute shadows election campaign
Three years after the Hamas-led attacks, relatives and campaigners are pressing for an independent state inquiry into security failures. Benjamin Netanyahu rejects a Supreme Court-led commission and denies personal responsibility.
Residents of Kfar Aza gathered on Wednesday to remember the 64 people killed and 19 kidnapped from their community during the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023. Across southern Israel, about 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage, according to the BBC.
Three years later, Israel has not held an independent state inquiry into how the attacks happened. Relatives, campaigners and opposition figures are demanding a state commission to examine security and intelligence failures, including what warnings reached military and political leaders.
Netanyahu has rejected personal responsibility and opposed an inquiry led by Israel’s Supreme Court, saying the judiciary would be biased against him. His government proposed an alternative commission with members appointed by political parties, but parliament’s session ended in July without a vote on the bill.
Questions about prior warnings remain disputed. Netanyahu’s office called a newspaper report that the UAE leader warned him of Hamas plans an “absolute lie” and said he would sue. The supplied BBC report says Netanyahu has denied receiving such warnings; what he and other leaders knew remains unresolved.
The dispute has become an election issue as Netanyahu seeks re-election. Polls suggest a close race, with the attacks central to many voters’ decisions. Military commanders were dismissed, the domestic intelligence chief left office, and then-chief of staff Herzi Halevi resigned after apologising for the failure to protect civilians.
