Netanyahu Calls Israel Needs Special Investigation Commission For Attacks October 7, But After War

JAKARTA - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel needed to form a "special state investigation commission" to investigate failures surrounding the Hamas-led Palestinian militant group attack.

However, PM Netanyahu said the investigation failed to anticipate the events of October 7, 2023 could be carried out after the war in the Gaza Strip ended.

"We need to do that," PM Netanyahu said in a question and answer video posted on his X account, referring to the need for a state investigation commission.

"We said from the start that we would do it at the end of the war," he added.

PM Netanyahu further said, "I have heard the legal advice saying 'the war is over,' but he insisted "we are on the verge of a massive entrance to Gaza. That is a recommendation of the General Staff. Their recommendation, not my recommendation. I recommend the same. But they do it independently and say so."

PM Netanyahu stressed that Hamas' defeat was "what needs to be done now. After that, we will investigate. And it must be investigated at all levels of leadership."

"In order for this to work, there needs to be a committee that is acceptable to the entire community, a special state investigation commission that truly reflects various points of view in society and provides expressions. And that way that's the only way the findings will be accepted by the public, as wide and consensual as possible, "explained PM Netanyahu.

PM Netanyahu's comments came after the government reportedly decided to form a "special" commission to investigate the October 7 attack, but rejected calls from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to form the country's official investigation commission, which would have the widest authority.

The attack by Palestinian militant groups to the south of Israel on October 7, 2023 left about 1,200 people dead and 251 others held hostage, according to Israeli calculations, as quoted by Reuters.