WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview published Thursday that it was “regrettable” that Hamas was able to carry out its October 7 attack without explicitly claiming responsibility.
Netanyahu, who has resisted apologizing for security failures since Israel's worst attack and has focused on destroying Hamas, was asked in an interview by Time magazine whether he would apologize.
“apologize?” It is quoted from him as an answer.
“Absolutely. I'm deeply sorry that this happened. And you always look back and say, 'Could we have done something to prevent it?'
The right-wing leader is Israel's longest-serving prime minister and has long considered himself a staunch defender of Israel's security.
Shortly after the October 7 attack, Netanyahu posted on social media that the intelligence services had failed to predict and warn him of the Hamas operation.
He deleted the post and apologized after numerous Israelis accused him of denying guilt and endangering national unity.
In this interview, Time asked Netanyahu what his message is to the political rival who is leading the country's worst security failure.
Netanyahu replied that it depends on whether the leader can lead Israel to “victory.”
Can they assure that the post-war situation will be one of peace and security? If the answer is yes, they should stay in power.”
On October 7, Hamas carried out the deadliest attack in Israel's history. A total of 1,198 people were killed, most of them civilians, according to AFP figures based on official Israeli figures.
Palestinian militants took 251 hostages, 111 of whom are still being held in Gaza, including 39 who were killed according to the Israeli military.
Israel's retaliatory military operation in Gaza has killed at least 39,677 people, according to the Hamas-controlled region's health ministry, which did not provide details of civilian or militant casualties.
