Netanyahu apologizes to Israeli nation amid Tel Aviv-Hamas war

First blames generals for Hamas attack then deletes tweets after the backlash

By: Samaa Web Desk

October 29, 2023October 29, 2023

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu retracts statement blaming security chiefs, IDF military intelligence chief Aharon Haliva and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, for the intelligence failures leading up to the Hamas attack on October 7, saying: "I made a mistake. The things I said following the press conference shouldn't have been said and I apologize for it."

Netanyahu added that he apologizes for it and gives his full support to all the security chiefs. He also said that he strengthens the Chief of Staff and all IDF commanders and soldiers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deleted the tweet he posted on Saturday night pinning blame for the Hamas attack on security chiefs, particularly naming IDF military intelligence chief Aharon Haliva and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. He deleted the tweet after ex Chief of Staff Benny Gantz called him to retract his statement.

The prime minister's office clarified that Netanyahu's statement was posted after the press conference he held on Saturday, regarding the "severe allegations according to which the prime minister received specific alerts before the war, which is not true." They added that Netanyahu is "focused on leading the battle and puts his complete trust in the IDF and security forces."

Thousands of Gaza residents broke into warehouses and distribution centers of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) grabbing flour and "basic survival items", the organization said on Sunday.

"This is a worrying sign that civil order is starting to break down after three weeks of war and a tight siege on Gaza," UNRWA said in a statement.

Water authority council has approved in an expedited procedure discount for families hosting evacuated residents of northern or southern Israel. Following the decision, the families will receive added water for a discounted fee after providing identification details of their evacuee guests.

In addition, the council has decided to expedite the discount of wastewater (purified wastewater) provided by the Shepdan purification plant, an important source of water for agriculture in the western Negev. In addition, the farmers dealing with the difficulties caused by the war will get more water than annually allocated for 2023.

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