Shin Bet warned Israel of Hamas threats months before October attack

Hamas's attack on Israeli territories near the Gaza Strip on October 7 was not without warning, according to Israel's internal agency, Shin Bet, which disclosed that it had alerted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the potential threat at least five months prior.

The agency reported that despite recognizing the militant group's intentions, it did not correctly gauge the scale, timing, or location of the eventual assault, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 Israelis.

Ronen Bar, Shin Bet's chief and head of the General Security Service (GSS), reportedly cautioned Netanyahu, describing Hamas as a "challenge at its doorstep" and advised Israel to prepare for a preemptive response, as detailed by Haaretz.

However, Netanyahu appeared to have a differing interpretation, dismissing the intelligence warnings by asserting that Hamas was "deterred."

The Guardian's coverage of an eight-page summary of the agency's report suggests that Israel's "policy of quiet" toward Hamas contributed to the deadly October event.

The document criticizes Netanyahu's acceptance of Qatari financial support to Gaza, which allegedly aimed to keep Palestinians divided by empowering Hamas over the Palestinian Authority.

In response to the report, the Israeli government criticized Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, arguing that the agency's findings did not accurately reflect the severity of its shortcomings.

A statement from Netanyahu's circle accused Bar of a substantial failure to address the Hamas threat, further claiming that Shin Bet had believed Hamas preferred to maintain a low profile.

The government argued that Bar had not only recommended civilian concessions but also thought Hamas was seeking stability with economic incentives, as mentioned in an October 3 document.

Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Hamas, urging the release of hostages and return of those killed.

Posting on his Truth Social platform after meeting with freed hostages, Trump demanded immediate action, threatening further destruction otherwise.

The warning followed Israel's decision to stop the entry of all goods and supplies into Gaza.

Although not all details were clear, it was understood that aid supplies had been disrupted.

Tensions lingered as the first phase of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire concluded, with Israel's prime minister's office threatening "additional consequences" should Hamas reject the US proposal for extending the ceasefire.