Hunter Biden, son of former US President Joe Biden, has stated that Israel was aware of the impending October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and allowed it to occur in order to further its own agenda in the Gaza Strip. In an interview with LBC radio in London, Biden cited a report by the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz, which claimed that Israeli officials had received warnings about Hamas's plans.
According to Ha'aretz, a Palestinian intermediary had conveyed a message from Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, stating that he was preparing a "quake" or a major operation against Israel. The report also stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had received a direct warning from a senior official about Sinwar's plans, but had chosen not to take action.
Biden described the Israeli war in Gaza as "genocidal," acknowledging that the term carried significant weight. He also described Hamas as "horrific," but his comments have sparked controversy and debate. The Israeli government has repeatedly denied that Netanyahu had received any warnings about the impending attack, and has instead blamed the intelligence and military failures of the security agencies.
An investigation by Ha'aretz found that Sinwar had cut off security talks with Israel in September 2023 and had sent a message through a Palestinian intermediary stating that he was preparing a major operation. The investigation also found that a senior official had warned Netanyahu about Sinwar's plans just 10 days before the attack, but that Netanyahu had downplayed the warning.
Israeli media outlets have published testimony from Israeli soldiers and officials, who claim that they had reported unusual activity by Hamas militants in the months leading up to the attack. However, these reports were allegedly ignored or dismissed by senior commanders.
The Israeli military had obtained a 40-page intelligence document, code-named "Operation Jericho Wall," which detailed Hamas's plans for the attack. However, analysts reportedly concluded that the plan was too ambitious and beyond Hamas's capabilities, and therefore did not merit further action.
Netanyahu has refused to establish a government inquiry into the intelligence failures leading up to the attack, sparking criticism from opposition leaders. The controversy has raised questions about the Israeli government's handling of the crisis and its accountability for the devastating consequences of the war in Gaza.
Key points
- Israel was aware of the impending Hamas attack and allowed it to occur to further its own agenda.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a direct warning about Hamas's plans but chose not to take action.
- The Israeli government has denied any wrongdoing and has instead blamed intelligence and military failures.
