Five former heads of Israel's internal security service, Shin Bet, along with 31 retired department directors, have sent a remarkable letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of harming the security institution and attempting to evade responsibility for the failures that occurred during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The letter has gained significant attention as it reflects deep concern among former security officials regarding Netanyahu's handling of the situation following the attacks.

In their correspondence, the former officials criticized the increasing attacks from Netanyahu's close associates and members of the ruling coalition against former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and other officers who served during the attack. They expressed alarm over what they describe as a widespread campaign to disseminate conspiracy theories and narratives that aim to shift blame onto the security service for the attacks. The letter highlights the gravity of the accusations and the sense of division within Israel's security community.

They also condemned a 55-page document presented by Netanyahu to the state controller, which included snippets of prior government deliberations. The former heads of Shin Bet found this document biased and misrepresentative of the events surrounding the Hamas offensive, reflecting their worries about Netanyahu's narrative and its implications for security accountability in Israel. This unprecedented step taken by former high-ranking officials signifies a potential escalation in the political crisis surrounding the government's response to security breaches and reflects ongoing tensions within Israel's political and security structures.