The Shabak and Netanyahu's dispute over Operation Storm Al-Aqsa

According to the Rai El-Youm news agency, citing the Israeli Radio and Television Organization, the Shabak admitted its failure to assess Hamas's strength before October 7, 2023.

The Shabak also pointed to Netanyahu's responsibility for designing a failed policy over the years.

After the publication of the Shabak investigation, Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition in the Israeli government, and Benny Gantz, the leader of the Blue and White party and the regime's former Minister of War, called on Netanyahu to apologize. They emphasized that Netanyahu is trying to shift the blame.

Meanwhile, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the results of the investigation by the Israeli Internal Security Service (Shabak) into the events of October 7, 2023 (Operation Al-Aqsa Storm), saying that they (Shabak) do not answer questions.

According to the Zionist newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, a statement from Netanyahu's office stated that Shabak director Ronen Bar, instead of cooperating with the cabinet inspector, presented an investigation that did not answer any questions.

Netanyahu's office added that the results of the Shabak investigation do not correspond to the extent of the failure and negligence of this security service and its director.

The statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office added that the Shabak director failed in everything related to the fight of the Internal Security Service (Shabak) against Hamas in general and the events of October 7 (Operation Al-Aqsa Storm) in particular.

Conditions of the Shabak Chief to Resign

Amidst these tensions and disputes, the Israeli Channel 14 television reported that Shabak Chief Ronen Bar has set conditions for his resignation.

According to the report, the conditions announced are as follows: forming a government investigation committee, returning all Israeli prisoners from Gaza, appointing one of the Shabak 's deputy chiefs as his successor, and preventing the appointment of someone outside the institution to head the Shabak.

In this regard, on Tuesday night, on the sidelines of presenting the results of the investigation into Operation Storm al-Aqsa, which he submitted after several weeks of wrangling with Benjamin Netanyahu, Bar pointed to those responsible for this failure and said: "I have taken responsibility and intend to fulfill my promise, but the timing of this work is very important."

He added in this regard: "I am not satisfied with the return of only 197 prisoners and I will wait for the return of the remaining 59."

Speaking to Shabak employees, Barr added that he intends not to step down from his position until he is certain that a formal fact-finding committee has been formed.