Netanyahu was warned that 'war was a matter of time'
It has been alleged that Ronen Bar, Director of the Israeli internal security agency Shin Bet, warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 23, 2023, months before the October 7 attacks in the Gaza Strip, that "war was a matter of time."
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According to a report by the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Ronen Bar requested an "urgent" meeting with Netanyahu 76 days before the October 7 attacks in Gaza.
Months before the attacks on the Gaza Strip began on October 7, Bar told the Prime Minister, "I am warning you now about an impending war," and provided assessments regarding the "concrete threat" in question.
While the Shin Bet Director did not use the terms "raid" or "intifada" in the intelligence details he presented to Netanyahu, he stated that "war was a matter of time," though they could not know the day or the hour.
MET WITH MAIN OPPOSITION LEADERS
Shin Bet Director Bar also met with main opposition leader Yair Lapid immediately after his meeting with Netanyahu on July 23, 2023.
It was noted that Lapid was surprised by Bar's statements and warnings that a "war was imminent."
To Lapid's question, "Did you tell this to the Prime Minister?", Bar replied, "Yes."
NETANYAHU ACCUSED LAPID OF LYING
Main opposition leader Yair Lapid said in a speech yesterday at the commission of inquiry investigating the government's failure to stop the October 7 attacks that Prime Minister Netanyahu had ignored warning signs received before the attacks in the Gaza Strip on October 7.
Lapid stated, "(The government) was indeed informed. I was informed, and the intelligence information I saw was, of course, also seen by the prime minister and his ministers."
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, it was noted that Netanyahu had not received any warning "a month before or even an hour before" October 7, adding, "Yair Lapid is lying again."