Netanyahu's policies enabled 2023 Hamas attack, says Shin Bet

Israel's internal security agency, Shin Bet, reported that policies under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu contributed to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis. The agency admitted it failed to act on warning signs of the assault. The report highlighted a "policy of quiet" towards Hamas and the flow of funds from Qatar as factors that allowed Hamas to strengthen militarily. It also noted that recent Jewish prayers at the al-Aqsa mosque violated agreements and increased tensions. Shin Bet acknowledged its own shortcomings in assessing the threat from Hamas, leading to inadequate security measures before the attack. Netanyahu's associates criticized Shin Bet's leadership, reflecting ongoing tensions between the prime minister and security agencies.