Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly instructed his top advisers and security chiefs to maintain the status quo with Hamas just days before the October 7 attack, prioritizing quiet and economic incentives over escalation. Leaked details from an October 1 meeting reveal Netanyahu emphasized moderation and avoided aggressive action against Hamas leaders, focusing instead on normalization efforts with Saudi Arabia. The release of selective cabinet meeting quotations by Netanyahu has sparked criticism from senior defense officials, who argue the excerpts were taken out of context and harmed relations between political and defense leadership. Former prime minister Naftali Bennett harshly criticized Netanyahu, accusing him of weak leadership and failing to act against growing threats, further intensifying the political fallout from the revelations.