Former Shin Bet Operative Alleges Ignored Warning Days Before October 7

A former Shin Bet operative, identified only as "A.," has come forward with allegations that a critical warning regarding Hamas movements was transmitted to the agency's leadership on October 5, 2023—two days before the devastating assault. Speaking to Channel 14 journalist Hallel Bitton Rosen, the former agent stated that operatives in the Gaza Strip went off the grid as early as October 2, prompting him to alert his handlers.

The Controversy Over the October 5 Warning

According to the testimony, the information reached senior echelons, including the deputy head of the Shin Bet and former agency director Ronen Bar. "I felt something was deeply wrong," the former operative said, noting that inquiries regarding planned operations yielded negative responses, raising suspicions of an imminent hostile escalation.

"I am ready to take a polygraph anywhere you choose, except inside the Shin Bet," stated the former operative, defending the credibility of his disclosures.

Strong Denials from Security Leadership

The Shin Bet and former chief Ronen Bar have firmly rejected the claims, labeling the report as absolute "fake news." The agency stated that the allegations contradict internal investigations and captured Hamas documents, which indicate that even senior figures within the terrorist organization were kept in the dark until shortly before the attack.

Political reactions followed swiftly. Deputy Minister Almog Cohen took to social media to criticize Ronen Bar harshly, alleging direct responsibility for the failures surrounding the Simchat Torah tragedy. Meanwhile, the public awaits further documentation to verify whether the contested October 5 alert genuinely reached the top tiers of Israel's internal security apparatus.