Benjamin Netanyahu held secret negotiations with Hamas in 2014

Reports indicate that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted secret, direct negotiations with Hamas during the 2014 Gaza conflict, known as Operation Protective Edge, without the knowledge of Israel's security establishment.

According to reports from Maariv, Netanyahu utilized businessman Shlomi Vogel as a direct intermediary to communicate with Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad inside the Gaza Strip. These telephone conversations lasted several weeks and bypassed traditional mediation channels, such as Egypt or Qatar, which the Israeli security apparatus had historically relied upon.

Former Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman criticized these actions, stating that Netanyahu maintained these secret ties behind the backs of the Chief of Staff and the head of Mossad. Liberman accused the Prime Minister of providing immunity to terrorist leaders and exchanging correspondence with Yahya Sinwar, arguing that such conduct poses a danger to Israel's security. Liberman has called for the formation of an official commission of inquiry to uncover the full extent of these communications and policies.