The independent Civilian Commission of Inquiry, tasked with investigating government failures leading up to the October 7, 2023 attacks, has sent formal warning notices to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and other current and former officials. The notices offer these figures a final opportunity to testify before the commission releases its findings in the coming weeks.

In its letter to Netanyahu, the commission revealed that 130 witnesses, including former prime ministers and senior military and civilian officials, have testified during the investigation. The commission noted that Netanyahu’s name “came up again and again” throughout the testimonies.

“As the most senior authority in the State of Israel, who has made fateful decisions in recent years, the bereaved families would like to hear your take on the matter directly and in detail,” the commission wrote.

Netanyahu has been given a deadline of November 1 to provide his testimony for inclusion in the final report, which will be made public and submitted to the Knesset and President Isaac Herzog.

Despite the request, Netanyahu is unlikely to appear before the panel, as he continues to resist calls for an official probe into the events surrounding the attacks.

In addition to Netanyahu and Gallant, the commission also sent letters to former prime minister Naftali Bennett and former IDF chief of staff and current National Unity party chairman Benny Gantz, urging them to provide testimony before the final report is released.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)