The Times of Israel added that reports appearing in Hebrew media earlier this year claimed that Netanyahu had been “attempting to keep his conversations regarding the management of the war in Gaza untraceable.”

Controversy continues to surround the beginning of the war. Hamas’ Operation Al-Aqsa Flood was reportedly successful in part due to intelligence failures blamed on Netanyahu and others. Israeli officials also issued the Hannibal Directive on 7 October, authorizing the military to kill Israeli civilians to prevent them from being taken captive in Gaza by Hamas fighters.

The military unleashed attack helicopters, drones, and tanks to fire missiles, high-caliber bullets, and shells at houses in the settlements (kibbutzim) and at the Nova music festival, killing hundreds of Hamas fighters, Israeli soldiers, and civilians alike.