Netanyahu's office hindering October 7 probe? Israeli ombudsman makes shocking claim

State Comptroller and Ombudsman of Israel, Matanyahu Englman, has blamed Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu'sOffice (PMO) as well as military leaders for impeding inquiries into the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 last year.

Englman said not one leader had taken responsibility for the lapse in preparation that allowed Hamas to mount a deadly attack which has prompted a near year-long war.

“In Israel, as of September 2024, there is no one who has taken personal responsibility with action alongside it, not at the political level, not at the security and military level, and not at the civilian level,” the state comptroller said.

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“There has not been a single person among the elected officials, bearers of public office, military leaders and the security establishment, who has met the proper standard and the expected time when it comes to upholding the value of bearing responsibility,” he added.

Englman was particularly severe on the defence establishment for attempting to stop his review of the military's actions before October 7. He said the defence officials were building "high andimpassable walls which have led to the stymying of the review".

"The Prime Minister’s Office, for its part — even though it has provided material — is still putting up obstacles which are hindering and disrupting the required professional activities," he added, questioning the PMO.

“All of them, at different levels of severity, do not convey the public and principled resilience expected of them, which at its foundation is a readiness [to accept] real criticism, without limitation, even if the results are biting and tough.”

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Englman's statement comes a day after Netanyahu nearly 'torpedoed' the hostage-truce talks, according to a CNN report, after a public address where he refused to budge on his position on the stationing of the troops.

While Netanyahu sought forgiveness for the killing of six Israeli hostages in Hamas' captivity, he said Israel must retain control of the key corridor on the Egypt-Gaza border if the deal was to be signed.

"The achievement of the war's objectives goes through the Philadelphi Corridor... Control of the Philadelphi axis guarantees that the hostages will not be smuggled out of Gaza," he said during a press conference, referring to a narrow 14.5-km-long stretch of land along Gaza's southern border with Egypt.

The Israeli PM claims that leaving the Philadelphi Corridor would enable Hamas to spirit the hostages to Iran.

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.