Jerusalem, 27 August, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office denied media reports that he maintained a direct backchannel with Hamas during the 2014 Gaza war.
“There was no such contact. Prime Minister Netanyahu has never approved such contacts. These are false briefings by political elements trying to harm the prime minister,” his office said.
Israeli media reported that the Prime Minister had been in contact with Hamas official Ghazi Hamad through businessman and Netanyahu associate Shlomi Fogel.
Yashar party leader, Gadi Eisenkot, who was deputy military chief of staff during that war, denounced Netanyahu, tweeting, “On stage, he speaks about the decision, and behind the scenes, he sends associates to speak directly with the senior leaders of the terrorist organization in order to promote a policy of containment.”