Following the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly refused negotiations and ordered the Israeli military to relentlessly bomb Gaza, according to a recent report. This revelation fuels accusations of Netanyahu’s genocidal intent.
Yedioth Ahronoth, an Israeli newspaper, reported Friday that Netanyahu displayed erratic behavior in the immediate aftermath of the attack. During the first two days, he reportedly lost his temper, lashed out, and became increasingly desperate, berating former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi during military briefings to the cabinet.
The newspaper detailed Halevi’s report that the Israeli Air Force had struck 1,500 targets in the initial 48 hours—a massive undertaking requiring significant intelligence and operational capabilities. Despite this, Netanyahu reportedly exploded with rage, slamming his fist on the table and shouting at Halevi: “Why not 5,000 targets?” Halevi responded that they lacked sufficient approved targets. Netanyahu’s alleged reply: “I don’t care about targets. Destroy houses, bomb everything we have.”
Cabinet member Gadi Eisenkot and others subsequently described Netanyahu’s leadership failures in the early days of the conflict. Yedioth Ahronoth quoted a source saying that officials believed Netanyahu had “lost his mind,” explaining his current refusal to allow a formal investigation into the events.
Netanyahu’s reluctance to allow a full investigation stems from fears that it would expose his failures. His actions appear aimed at preventing key witnesses from testifying. A prior IDF investigation already revealed the military’s failure to prevent the October 7th attack, which resulted in the deaths of over a thousand Israeli soldiers and civilians and the abduction of 250 Israelis into Gaza.
Reports indicate that Hamas offered to release all civilian hostages early on, a proposal allegedly rejected by Netanyahu in favor of a sustained bombardment of Gaza. From October 2023 to January 2025, nearly 50,000 Gazans, mostly women and children, perished as a result of the intense Israeli attacks. Netanyahu later ordered renewed bombing of Gaza after a temporary ceasefire, reportedly violating a deal with Hamas that stipulated the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Gaza in exchange for the release of all hostages.
Demonstrators light flares during a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. – (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
Tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets since the renewed attacks began on Tuesday. Families and former hostages also called for a Saturday night demonstration in Tel Aviv to protest the Gaza conflict, according to Israeli media.
Yehuda Cohen, father of a captive, urged Israelis to protest, calling the situation an emergency and accusing the Prime Minister of “murdering the hostages and destroying the country,” according to Haaretz.
Yifat Kalderon, cousin of a released hostage, is quoted by the same newspaper as stating that Netanyahu “is cynically waging a disinformation campaign, influencing even the American government.”
Former Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman highlighted the rocket attacks on Israel, accusing Prime Minister Netanyahu of failing to restore security. “Rockets from Gaza, Yemen and Lebanon in one day,” wrote Lieberman, leader of the conservative Yisrael Beiteinu party. “The Prime Minister on October 7th was a danger to Israel’s security.”
Summary
Following the October 7th Hamas attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s response, as reported by Yedioth Ahronoth, involved an alleged refusal to negotiate and the order for relentless bombing of Gaza. This reportedly included erratic behavior, outbursts, and demands for significantly escalated attacks, even despite the military having already struck 1,500 targets in the first 48 hours. Netanyahu’s actions have been criticized by several officials, who claim his leadership failures in the early days of the conflict contributed to a high civilian death toll in Gaza and a continuation of the conflict.
Netanyahu’s alleged refusal to allow a formal investigation into these events is fueled by fears of exposing his failures. Reports suggest he rejected early offers from Hamas to release civilian hostages, opting instead for continued bombardment. This, along with the subsequent renewed bombing after a temporary ceasefire, has led to widespread protests in Israel, with accusations of Netanyahu’s incompetence and even genocidal intent, alongside claims of a disinformation campaign influencing even the American government.