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Netanyahu’s office rejects claim he met Hamas during 2014 Gaza war
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu allegedly contacted Hamas representative Ghazi Hamad in Cairo during the 2014 Gaza war, separately from the ceasefire talks. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office rejected the claim, while opposition leaders criticized Netanyahu.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu allegedly held direct talks with Ghazi Hamad, one of Hamas’s senior representatives, during the 2014 Gaza war. The contacts allegedly took place without the knowledge of Israel’s security agencies.
Netanyahu’s business partner, Shlomi Vogel, allegedly established the connection between Netanyahu and Hamad. Hamad, who was a deputy minister in Gaza’s government at the time, is currently a member of Hamas’s Political Bureau.
Claim of contacts separate from Cairo ceasefire talks
The meetings allegedly took place while official negotiations to end the 2014 Gaza war were being held in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. It was also alleged that Israel’s official negotiating team was unaware of the contacts.
Yoram Cohen, who was director of Israel’s Shin Bet security service at the time, said in his assessment of Vogel that a group of senior officials had held talks in Egypt on behalf of the prime minister and the defense minister to reach a ceasefire. Cohen said the group included a Jewish Israeli who acted as the prime minister’s intermediary.
Cohen criticized Netanyahu’s decision to establish direct contact with Hamas. However, Cohen did not answer when asked whether Netanyahu had discussed the matter with him.
Prime Minister’s Office denies the claim
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said the claim that Netanyahu held secret meetings with Hamas representatives was untrue.
Strong reaction from Israel’s opposition
The claim renewed criticism of Netanyahu in Israeli politics. Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot said it was becoming increasingly clear why Netanyahu was fighting to prevent the establishment of a state commission of inquiry.
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, argued that Netanyahu posed a threat to Israel’s security. Lieberman also alleged that Netanyahu had exchanged messages with Yahya Sinwar.
Naftali Bennett, Israel’s former prime minister and leader of the United List, also criticized Netanyahu. Bennett alleged that while he was fighting within the government for the destruction of Hamas tunnels, Netanyahu was trying to make concessions to the leaders of the terrorist organization behind his back.
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