IDF denies Netanyahu’s claim that it hid vital intelligence from him

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) denied on Monday the claim by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that vital classified intelligence was withheld from him regarding the 7 October, 2023, cross-border incursion led by Hamas.

Netanyahu issued a lengthy video statement on Saturday in which he defended an aide and other suspects accused of leaking sensitive intelligence material from the army to the German tabloid Bild. The Israeli leader claimed that a campaign of “persecution and distortion” is being launched against his political camp.

“I am the prime minister. I need to receive important classified documents, but sometimes important information doesn’t reach me,” said Netanyahu, claiming that the practice was “politically motivated” and that the security services had refused to investigate many serious leaks.

However, the Israeli army responded to the prime minister’s claim by saying that it “has not and will not hide any relevant information from the political echelon,” and that it is subject to the instructions of the political echelon.

“There are authorised officials in the prime minister’s office who have access to all relevant intelligence materials,” added the IDF. “Anything else is simply not true.”

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