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PM’s ex-military secretary: Netanyahu prioritized political survival over saving hostages’ lives

Avi Gil also alleges that Netanyahu’s chief of staff tampered with Oct. 7 phone records * PM says Gil 'chose not to wake him up' morning of attack * Eisenkot calls for criminal probe against PM, Liberman alleges treason

US President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he walks on the South Lawn upon his arrival to the White House, October 8, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Trump says US won’t hit Iran this month, as Zamir said to warn strike could delay Israel’s election

By Agencies and Lazar Berman

IDF chief was reportedly told by American counterparts to prepare for a massive strike within three weeks; Washington sanctions 17 vessels in Iran's shadow fleet

Capt. Eliav Haim Tzapalamus (Israel Defense Forces)

IDF soldier killed, 3 others wounded after Humvee overturned in southern Lebanon

By Stav Levaton, AFP and ToI Staff

Capt. Eliav Haim Tzapalamus named as fallen officer; military opens investigation; EU foreign policy chief urges extension of UNIFIL mandate to prevent security vacuum

Britain’s Green Party leader Zack Polanski attends a Green Party conference in Brighton, Britain, October 2, 2026. (Carlos Jasso/Reuters)

Inside Story

‘Moment of truth’: UK’s Jewish, anti-Israel Green Party leader faces key electoral test in London

Zack Polanski is at a political crossroads as voters in central London go to the polls for a special election during a week in which his party declared 'Zionism is racism'

An election campaign poster featuring Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot is displayed on a bus in Jerusalem, October 5, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

ToI poll: Anti-Netanyahu bloc regains lead but both camps short of majority 19 days ahead of vote

Zman Yisrael survey gives bloc of Jewish-led opposition parties a four-seat edge, with Eisenkot's Yashar back in first ahead of Likud; Channel 13 poll places PM's bloc ahead

People of Israel party leader Ofer Winter holds a press conference near Ben Gurion airport, October 05, 2026. (Avshalom Sassoni/FLASH90)

Reporter's notebook

Ofer Winter talks like he’s the opposition, but won’t walk away from Netanyahu

Railing against government failures, People of Israel leader promises political overhaul yet rules out any alternative to the current prime minister; the dissonance is not lost on right-wing voters he's trying to win over

Promoted Content

Rates at record-breaking levels

When was Israel Bonds eMazel rate ever this high? Also, the 5-Yr Jubilee is at a 25-year high. Plus many record-breaking multi-year high rates across the board.

Passengers from flydubai flight FZ1073 walk through the arrivals hall at Ben Gurion International Airport, after their original flight from Dubai to Israel made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia following a terror attack by the copilot, who attacked the captain and tried to crash the plane, September 30, 2026. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

Op-ed: Three weeks to elections

As with Oct. 7, so too with Sept. 30’s flydubai attack: A failure to prevent obvious deadly threats, and a refusal to take responsibility

The gaping holes in security for passengers on foreign airlines serving Israel truly boggle the mind. Until they are clearly addressed, travelers should be very careful in their choices... And so, too, should Israeli voters

Latest Articles

Top ops

Ruthie Hollander

Ruthie Hollander

5 reasons to be upset about Mamdani’s October 7 tweet

If only New York’s mayor had stopped his message after the first 40 words of sympathy for Israeli victims. But no

Chana Svei

I’m an ultra-Orthodox woman whose Jewish experience changed on October 7

At first, I hid my identity, but when I encountered a group spouting anti-Zionist propaganda, I spoke up - and discovered I needed a police escort to my car

Avi Lewis

The airstrikes we canceled: What NAZA leaves out

The film has it backwards: I worked with the IDF’s casualty estimate system. It’s a brake on civilian deaths, not a license to kill

Nim Shapira

I made a film about hostage posters. I was accused of centering ‘whiteness’

It takes a particular habit of mind to look at a grainy photo of a kidnapped person and start by asking what color they are

Aron Troen

We are still waiting for someone to say: We failed you

My sister and brother-in-law were murdered on October 7. Their children survived. No government representative has ever come to look us in the eye and take responsibility

Shahar Varon

Israel needs repair, not a return to normal

My generation stepped up when the government failed. Now we deserve a country where service is shared, sacrifice is honored and leaders are held accountable

Linda Lovitch

An oasis of unity and comfort in Hostages Square

Amidst the post-October 7th discord and divisiveness, the Masorti Movement’s daily singing and prayer circle was a safe place of comfort and unity for all

The cost of Netanyahu’s consistent evasion of responsibility is paid in lives

From the 2021 Mount Meron disaster to October 7 and the flydubai hijacking attempt, the prime minister repeatedly ignores warnings and shifts the blame to others, with fatal consequences

Becky Reed

We studied American Jews’ mental health after Oct. 7. They’re not OK

From fear of antisemitic attacks to being demonized by institutions where they’d felt at home, Diaspora Jews are in pain

Katie Posey

To Israel, from your Christian allies: We stand beside you

In the past, our community persecuted the Jews, but now some of us are grateful and celebrate the light you bring to the world. Evil does not get the final word

Daniel Chamovitz

Daniel Chamovitz

Taking ownership of October 7

We need to ask not only who failed to prevent the catastrophe, but what our leaders did once it began — and whether they have taken responsibility since

Yehuda Beinin

Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves

The government’s politics of vengeance and dehumanization will not bring my son-in-law back from the dead. It will only create another generation of hatred

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attends an October 7 coexistence event in New York City, October 7, 2026. (Luke Tress/Times of Israel)

‘Traitor’: Anti-Zionist protesters rage at Mamdani at Oct. 7 coexistence event

Demonstrators accuse New York mayor of 'supporting genocide,' wave terrorist flags; activists chant for intifada outside Columbia University; Mamdani 'genocide' statement infuriates Jewish leaders

Then-Military Secretary Maj. Gen. Avi Gil arrives at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, January 3, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

‘Public is not being told what actually happened’

Netanyahu’s former military secretary alleges attempt to alter October 7 records

By Stav Levaton and ToI Staff

Avi Gil, who advised PM on October 7, details 'criminal pattern of behavior' from Prime Minster's Office to absolve Netanyahu of blame; Likud denies 'politically motivated propaganda'

Promoted Content

After October 7, Jewish singles are rethinking how—and where—they date

Shared identity and values increasingly outweigh geography, as antisemitism reshapes how Jewish singles search for their soulmate and think about their future.

EgyptAir pilot sparks fear after posting El Al plane video with threatening speech after flydubai attack

First commercial flight of EgyptAir lands at Israel's Ben Gurion airport, October 3, 2021 (Israel Airports Authority)

Video features Egypt's Anwar Sadat invoking 'eye for an eye' threat to Israel in 1973; pilot tells Italian paper it has no connection to flydubai; video said filmed in Milan

Israeli security forces remove Palestinians and left-wing activists from olive groves during the olive harvest season in the West Bank village of Beita, near Nablus, October 2, 2026. (Flash90)

Katz reportedly seeking to ban pro-Palestinian activists from West Bank during olive harvest

By Jeremy Sharon

Settlement umbrella group says defense minister taking action at its request; IDF, police address illegal outpost farmers; NGO records 109 acts of violence during harvest season

Top ops

Ruthie Hollander

Ruthie Hollander

5 reasons to be upset about Mamdani’s October 7 tweet

If only New York’s mayor had stopped his message after the first 40 words of sympathy for Israeli victims. But no

Chana Svei

I’m an ultra-Orthodox woman whose Jewish experience changed on October 7

At first, I hid my identity, but when I encountered a group spouting anti-Zionist propaganda, I spoke up - and discovered I needed a police escort to my car

Avi Lewis

The airstrikes we canceled: What NAZA leaves out

The film has it backwards: I worked with the IDF’s casualty estimate system. It’s a brake on civilian deaths, not a license to kill

Nim Shapira

I made a film about hostage posters. I was accused of centering ‘whiteness’

It takes a particular habit of mind to look at a grainy photo of a kidnapped person and start by asking what color they are

Aron Troen

We are still waiting for someone to say: We failed you

My sister and brother-in-law were murdered on October 7. Their children survived. No government representative has ever come to look us in the eye and take responsibility

Shahar Varon

Israel needs repair, not a return to normal

My generation stepped up when the government failed. Now we deserve a country where service is shared, sacrifice is honored and leaders are held accountable

Linda Lovitch

An oasis of unity and comfort in Hostages Square

Amidst the post-October 7th discord and divisiveness, the Masorti Movement’s daily singing and prayer circle was a safe place of comfort and unity for all

The cost of Netanyahu’s consistent evasion of responsibility is paid in lives

From the 2021 Mount Meron disaster to October 7 and the flydubai hijacking attempt, the prime minister repeatedly ignores warnings and shifts the blame to others, with fatal consequences

Becky Reed

We studied American Jews’ mental health after Oct. 7. They’re not OK

From fear of antisemitic attacks to being demonized by institutions where they’d felt at home, Diaspora Jews are in pain

Katie Posey

To Israel, from your Christian allies: We stand beside you

In the past, our community persecuted the Jews, but now some of us are grateful and celebrate the light you bring to the world. Evil does not get the final word

Daniel Chamovitz

Daniel Chamovitz

Taking ownership of October 7

We need to ask not only who failed to prevent the catastrophe, but what our leaders did once it began — and whether they have taken responsibility since

Yehuda Beinin

Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves

The government’s politics of vengeance and dehumanization will not bring my son-in-law back from the dead. It will only create another generation of hatred

Motorists and street vendors pass by billboards bearing images of Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi, right, and the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Sanaa, Yemen, October 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)

Saudi sources: Debris damages kindergarten, medical complex

Houthis claim new attack against airport in Riyadh, as airlines suspend flights

King Khalid International Airport said closed after blasts damage at least one plane; Iran-backed rebels warn airlines away from Saudi airspace, threaten oil facilities

This illustrative photograph shows a handheld smartphone displaying the icons of some of the main artificial intelligence based apps, in Saint-Mande, east of Paris, on July 15, 2026. (Martin LELIEVRE/AFP)

Promoted Podcast

AI Campus: The Turing Test 2.0

As Hebrew University researchers, administrators, and lecturers grapple with the implications of artificial intelligence, they all agree: it is here to stay, and can no longer be ignored.

Don't miss the first of ToI's election events

ToI Presents: Israel’s most fateful election?

Join us in Tel Aviv on Monday as former PM and FM Yair Lapid talks with David Horovitz about the stakes for Israel and Jews worldwide. Plus an election panel with multiple top candidates.

Israel’s national pavilion at Marrakech Airshow, the first since normalizing ties with Morocco in 2020, October 8, 2026. (Defense Ministry)

Israel opens its first national pavilion at Morocco’s Marrakech Airshow

By Stav Levaton

Eight defense firms showcase combat-tested technology as Jerusalem, Rabat move to deepen diplomatic and economic ties, in contrast with Israel’s exclusion from European exhibitions

View of the southern Israeli town of Ofakim, April 19, 2015. (FLASH90)

Kids locked in classrooms with lights off, told to hide

School in Oct. 7-scarred Ofakim shocks kids with terror drill on attack’s anniversary

Parents protest unannounced simulated infiltration for elementary-aged children, some of whom were recognized as victims of hostile acts during the 2023 onslaught

David Milstein, senior adviser to US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, speaks at a CPAC conference, October 30, 2023. (YouTube screenshot/CPAC)

Huckabee aide tried quashing US embassy reports to protect Israeli government — NYT

By Nava Freiberg and ToI Staff

Report citing over a dozen sources says David Milstein undermining diplomatic work on settlements, settler violence and Gaza's rebuilding; Huckabee rejects allegations

'This Jewish Moment' author Michael Posner in Toronto, August 2026. (Robert Sarner)

Interview

/

'We’re under threat. Make no mistake about this'

Diaspora Jews predict their own decline and fall in new post-Oct. 7 oral history

By Robert Sarner

Released on third anniversary of cataclysmic massacre, 'This Jewish Moment' by Canadian author Michael Posner captures zeitgeist of North American Jews in their own words. It's not pretty.

Watch: TOI Shorts

Chaos erupts in Jerusalem as Haredi anti-draft protesters clash with police

Chaos erupts in Jerusalem as Haredi anti-draft protesters clash with police

Anti-Zionists rally against Mamdani at NYC Oct. 7 coexistence event

Anti-Zionists rally against Mamdani at NYC Oct. 7 coexistence event

New Jerusalem basketball team pays homage to group of six hostages slain by Hamas

New Jerusalem basketball team pays homage to group of six hostages slain by Hamas

On-site at the memorial ceremony for Oct. 7 victims in Tel Aviv

On-site at the memorial ceremony for Oct. 7 victims in Tel Aviv

Activists put photos of Oct. 7 victims on NYC streets as city’s Jews mourn anniversary

Activists put photos of Oct. 7 victims on NYC streets as city’s Jews mourn anniversary

Tel Aviv’s Dizengoff Square pauses to remember October 7 victims on third anniversary

Tel Aviv’s Dizengoff Square pauses to remember October 7 victims on third anniversary

Those We Have Lost

Those We Have Lost

Is Ofer Winter helming a satellite party for Netanyahu?

Is Ofer Winter helming a satellite party for Netanyahu?

IDF demolished a nearly mile-long tunnel in Gaza

IDF demolished a nearly mile-long tunnel in Gaza

Hundreds of Haredi protesters clash with police, thwart arrest of draft dodger in Modiin

Hundreds of Haredi protesters clash with police, thwart arrest of draft dodger in Modiin

Illustrative: Futuristic robotic hand interacting with digital tax symbols and document icons in a global financial context. (iStock by Getty Images)

Finance Ministry eyes new taxes as AI threatens jobs and state revenues

By Sharon Wrobel

New report opposes dedicated tax targeting AI tech, fearing damage to economy; instead proposes taxes on undeveloped land, capital gains, luxury goods, digital services

ToI podcast

Daily Briefing Oct. 8: Shared grief, deep divisions – Israel marks October 7

By Jessica Steinberg and Ben Sales

News editor Ben Sales discusses the ceremonies held on the third anniversary of the Hamas attack, democratic expectations for election day, and candidates' reactions to the flydubai attack

A woman from the Palestinian Bedouin Kaabneh family swings under an olive tree as Israeli settlers move outside her house on the outskirts of the West Bank town of Taybeh, October 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Inside story

West Bank olive harvest, an annual flashpoint, presses ahead amid obstacles and violence

By Nurit Yohanan

In recent years, Palestinians have reported being prevented from harvesting their olives, which causes them severe economic harm; this year, attacks have already been reported

The race to 61

The Times of Israel's electoral dashboard — polling by Zman Yisrael.
Tap or hover over a party name for more info.

Knesset seat projections over time

Possible coalitions according to the latest poll

*Joint List and Ra'am may support a coalition without formally joining

Where the parties stand on key issues

More Headlines

MK Ofer Cassif at the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court, October 8, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Hadash MK Cassif convicted of assaulting police officer during 2022 West Bank clash

By Jeremy Sharon

Senior general-turned-president Min Aung Hlaing inspects a parade marking Myanmar’s 78th Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)

US opens direct talks with Myanmar, reversing years of isolation amid deadly civil war

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli sings in the Church of S. Saviour in the Old City of Jerusalem on June 13, 2011. (Alessio Romenzi/AFP)

Anti-Israel groups urge boycott of Andrea Bocelli’s Jordan concert; he played Tel Aviv in 2022

By AFP

Portraits of Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai are shown on the screen as they are awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, Sweden, on October 7, 2026. (Fredrik Sandberg/TT News Agency via AP)

French Jewish chemist Henri Kagan, Japan’s Kenso Soai win Nobel Prize for solving ‘mirror image’ mystery

By Agencies and ToI Staff

Anti-Israel protesters in New York City, May 5, 2026. (Luke Tress/Times of Israel)

US religion professor charged with posting anonymous antisemitic threats online

Naomi Ragen (photo credit: Yossi Zamir/Flash90)

Chicago Jewish theater drops Israeli writer’s play over creatives’ opposition

By Lianne Kolirin

Right-wing media personality Yinon Magal attends a hearing at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on May 9, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Netanyahu ally slams ‘despicable’ Bibas family, others who contributed to book blaming PM for hostage deaths

Bar Ilan University professor Shahar Nevo. (Bar Ilan University: used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

Mathematician accused of plotting to murder hundreds of Arabs named as Shahar Nevo

By Noam Lehmann

Popular

Those we have lost

Stories of the civilians and soldiers who have fallen in the Israel-Hamas war

Supt. Alexei Shmakalov who was killed at the Sderot police station on October 7, 2023. (Israel Police)

Those We Have Lost

Supt. Alexei Shmakalov, 34: Yamam officer was ‘fighting the good fight’

Killed battling Hamas terrorists at the Sderot police station on October 7

Raz Mizrahi (Courtesy)

Those We Have Lost

Raz Mizrahi, 21: Wounded in 2021 attack, recovered and slain at party

Murdered while trying to flee the Supernova music festival on October 7

Cpl. Maya Villalobo Polo who was killed in Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023. (IDF)

Those We Have Lost

Cpl. Maya Villalobo Polo, 19: Spanish-Israeli soldier on the front line

Killed by Hamas on the Nahal Oz army base, October 7

Laor Abramov (Courtesy)

Those We Have Lost

Laor Abramov, 20: Aspiring DJ from New Jersey

Murdered at the Supernova music festival, Oct. 7

Meir and Liz Elharar (Courtesy)

Those we have lost

Meir and Liz Elharar, 58 & 45: Couple slain protecting their 7-year-old

Murdered by Hamas terrorists in their home in Kibbutz Holit on October 7

Sgt. First Class Itai Bausi, 22, of the Duvdevan commando unit, was killed during the Supernova desert rave on October 7 (Courtesy)

Those we have lost

Sgt. First Class Itai Bausi, 22: Fought terrorists with his bare hands

Off-duty soldier in elite Duvdevan unit killed at the Supernova music festival, October 7

Master Sgt. Michael Lizmi, who was killed by Hamas terrorists in Ofakim on October 7, 2023. (Courtesy)

Those We Have Lost

Master Sgt. Michael Lizmi, 28: Cop was ‘the best father in the world’

Killed battling the Hamas invasion of Ofakim on October 7

Cpt. Dor Sade who was killed in Kfar Aza on October 8, 2023. (IDF)

Those We Have Lost

Cpt. Dor Sade, 22: Fell in battle 50 years after his grandfather did

Killed fighting Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 8

Liel Vainshtein who was murdered at the Supernova music festival on October 7, 2023. (Courtesy)

Those We Have Lost

Sgt. Liel Vainshtein, 19: Former child star slain at music festival

Israeli musician Eden Hason performed at funeral of off-duty soldier, murdered at Supernova rave, Oct 7

Siblings Gideon and Noa Chiell, murdered together by Hamas terrorists at the Supernova rave on October 7, 2023. (Courtesy)

Those We Have Lost

Gideon and Noa Chiell, 24 & 27: Siblings with matching tattoos

Hebrew phrase 'There's no such thing as impossible,' has since been tattooed on additional family. Siblings were murdered at the Supernova rave, October 7

Tales of the Times

The quirky, improbable, infuriating and uplifting

Passenger Yaniv Hayun, with bloodstains on his shirt, one of the Israelis who helped subdue a flydubai copilot who allegedly sought to hijack and crash a plane full of Israelis, at Ben Gurion Airport, September 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Tomer Appelbaum)

Ode to a plumber

‘My kind of guy’: Trump posts video thanking flydubai hero

'He's a Trump fan and I'm a fan of his,' says US president in TikTok clip praising Yaniv Hayun, who helped subdue attacker and then managed to level out the passenger jet as it nosedived

US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, September 30, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Calm under pressure

Trump marvels at plumber who pulled flydubai plane out of dive

After update from Netanyahu on dramatic flight, US president says he heard Israeli passenger seized controls and 'leveled out the plane,' muses that copilot attacker was 'whack-job'

Voices from the Gaza Border Communities, an exhibit through October 8, 2026 at Jaffa's Amiad Center (Jessica Steinberg/Times of Israel)

South comes to Jaffa

Exhibit highlights art from area invaded on October 7

'Voices from the Gaza Border Communities,' showing in Jaffa, presents works by 75 artists from the Western Negev -- those who survived the Hamas-led attack, and those who didn't

By Jessica Steinberg

Israeli singer Noga Erez performs in Katzrin on October 4, 2023 (Photo by Michael Giladi/Flash90)

Not the end of the road

From ‘pariah’ to sold-out shows: Noga Erez on career during war

Indie singer gives first Hebrew media interview in years, with partner Ori Rousso: 'You think you're finished'

By Jessica Steinberg

Illustrative: Children with a basket of treats. (Vadym Terelyuk/iStock)

Sweet comeback

Sunkist Fruit Gems to return after Jewish community scare

Beloved candy tossed at weddings and bar mitzvahs will be back on shelves after discontinuation prompts synagogue-goers to panic-buy stock

By Shira Li Bartov

Screenshots from a video posted by user FreeSpirit666 on TikTok, on September 14, 2026, captioned “Prices at Auschwitz". (Screenshots/FreeSpirit666 via TikTok)

Sour taste

British tourist’s TikTok critique of Auschwitz Museum’s café goes viral

'This is a concentration camp where thousands died, not a 5 star restaurant experience,' says one commenter on since-deleted video

The exterior of the restored Tiferet Synagogue in Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter, open for tours during Batim Mibifnim in October 2026 (Jewish Quarter Tourism)

Opportunity knocks

Jerusalem’s homes and institutions open to the public

Annual architecture festival Open House Jerusalem to take place over two October weekends, with free tours of sites around the capital

By Jessica Steinberg

Former star striker Wayne Rooney stands on the pitch before the Champions League soccer match between Liverpool and Real Madrid in Liverpool, England, November 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

'Roo the Jew'

British soccer legend Wayne Rooney reveals Jewish ancestry

Raised Catholic and once interested in becoming a priest, former England striker learns his great-grandmother fled Poland for Liverpool

Screen grab from video of British pop star Boy George announcing an upcoming concert in Tel Aviv, in a video posted to social media, September 22, 2026. (Boy George)

'It is my honor'

British pop star Boy George to perform in Israel in November

Staunchly pro-Israel artist expresses his gratitude at being invited to give concert, promises 'an evening of positivity, and love, and good vibes'

By Jessica Steinberg

Illustrative: A Shabbat table (iStock by Getty Images)

Hungry for unity

Room for one more? Campaign bridges divides by breaking bread

Grassroots initiative urges Jews to invite someone outside their usual circles this Sukkot, building on successful trial run over Tisha B'Av