Netanyahu apologises for blaming Israel's security services for Oct 7 Hamas assault

TEL AVIV: Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confessed on Sunday, in a rare apology, that he "was wrong" in criticising the security apparatus for Hamas' October 7 assault on the country.

Netanyahu said that he has "full backing" for all the heads of the security arms.

In a post on social media platform X, Netanyahu wrote, "I was wrong. Things I said following the press conference should not have been said and I apologise for that. I give full backing to all the heads of the security arms."

"I am strengthening the Chief of Staff and the commanders and soldiers of the IDF who are at the front and fighting for the house. together we will win," he added.

Late on Saturday night, Netanyahu wrote a post on X (formerly Twitter), insisting that he never received any warnings of Hamas "war intentions" at any stage, adding "all the security services, including the head of military intelligence and the head of the Shin Bet, were of the opinion that Hamas was deterred and wanted to come to a settlement," The Times of Israel reported.

Following the post, Israeli opposition leader and former Minister of Defence Benny Gantz on Sunday asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw his statement of blaming Israeli forces over the October 7 massacre.

"This morning in particular, I would like to back up and strengthen all the security forces and the soldiers of the IDF - including the Chief of Staff, the head of the IDF and the head of the Shin Bet. When we are at war, leadership must show responsibility, decide to do the right things and strengthen the forces in a way that they can to realize what we demand from them," former Minister Gantz said.

In a post on X, he shared, "Any other action or statement - harms the people's ability to stand and their strength. The Prime Minister must retract his statement last night, and stop dealing with the issue."

He also expressed his support and trust for the security forces and said "We are all with you and behind you".

He added, "I said yesterday that a heavy burden rests on the shoulders of the heads of the security forces for what was and will be this morning, I would like to emphasize - we are all with you and behind you, the entire Israeli society carries the burden. Don't look up or back - continue your mission. Love you, appreciate you and support you."

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier on Saturday the second stage of the war against Hamas has started with the crossing over of ground forces into Gaza on Friday night, The Times of Israel reported.

He said that Israel's goal is to "defeat the murderous enemy and to ensure our existence in our land.

Calling it Israel's "second war of independence", Netanyahu said it will be "long and hard and we are ready."

He said Israel would fight to defend its homeland and would not withdraw.