Families File Criminal Complaint Against Netanyahu Over October 7 Document
Fourteen bereaved families have filed a criminal complaint against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleging fraud and breach of trust over a controversial response document submitted to the State Comptroller regarding the October 7 massacre.
Fourteen families who lost their loved ones in the October 7 massacre and Hamas captivity have filed a formal complaint demanding a criminal investigation against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The filing follows investigative reports by ynet and "Yedioth Ahronoth" regarding a 55-page response document submitted by the premier to the State Comptroller.
The complaint, submitted to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and head of the police investigations and intelligence department, Major General Boaz Blat, alleges offenses including aggravated fraud, breach of trust, and violations of the State Comptroller Law. Signatories include families of fallen soldiers and hostages, such as Hagit and Rubi Chen, Hila and Yizhar Shay, Sharon and Eyal Eshel, and Rauma and Gadi Kedam. Retired Jerusalem District Court Judge Nava Ben-Or also joined the legal action.
Disputed Warnings and Intelligence Briefings
According to the families, the document—titled "Prime Minister's Response" and published by Netanyahu in February 2026—contains selective quotes, omitted information, and misleading context designed to deflect responsibility for the disaster. The complaint highlights several core issues, including Netanyahu's policy toward Hamas in the years leading up to the attack.
While the premier argued that the terms "quiet" and "containment" were never part of his official directive, investigative findings and a defamation suit filed by former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar indicate that he repeatedly instructed officials to seek calm in the Gaza Strip and postpone military escalations. The filing also addresses the intelligence assessment that Hamas was deterred, noting that Netanyahu presented this as a uniform military view while actively championing it himself.
Financial Transfers and Gaza Policy
Regarding the "Jericho Wall" defense document, the complaint contends that the prime minister was briefed on various versions of the plan over the years, contrary to his assertion that he never received or was updated on it. On the issue of targeted assassinations, the document asserts that Netanyahu pushed for operations while defense officials blocked them, whereas investigations point to the opposite scenario where proposals were repeatedly shelved in favor of maintaining quiet.
Another major point of contention involves Qatari financial aid transferred to Hamas's military wing. The complaint states that Netanyahu initially denied knowledge of the fund diversions and later downplayed the scale to roughly four million dollars per month, contradicting findings that the diverted funds constituted approximately half of the militant group's military budget. The families stress that despite receiving multiple warnings regarding Hamas's rearmament, no preventative measures were taken.
