'False political propaganda': Netanyahu, Likud denounce Channel 12's October 7 anniversary coverage

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party denounced Channel 12's coverage on the October 7 anniversary, accusing the network of spreading false political propaganda. Likud claimed the show aimed to topple the right-wing government and pave the way for a left-wing government that would create a Palestinian state. The party argued that Netanyahu was not given advance warning about the Hamas attack on October 7, citing a lack of information from security officials.

Former US President Joe Biden's adviser Brett McGurk was quoted, supporting Likud's stance. Likud cited intelligence reports stating that Hamas was deterred, seeking an arrangement, and that humanitarian easements should be given to maintain stability. They also mentioned a May 31 intelligence report about Hamas looking for new arenas to keep the Gaza Strip stable, and a July 23 report that no scenario of escalation from the Gaza Strip was materializing, with the main danger coming from Hezbollah.

Likud accused Channel 12 of attempting to bring down Netanyahu's government during an election campaign, intending to install a left-wing, Arab bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot, Yair Golan, Avigdor Liberman, and Naftali Bennett. The party also claimed that Netanyahu led the conquest of Gaza and Rafah, released all hostages, and saved Israel from annihilation by Iran's atomic bombs.

However, the IDF General Staff only learned about around 40% of the terror infiltrations by 7:30 a.m., and top officials were not fully informed until around 1:00 p.m.