According to the senior defense official, the Shin Bet informed decision-makers on 11 different occasions that precise intelligence allowed for a feasible assassination of Sinwar. On October 1, 2023, then-Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar raised the possibility of eliminating Sinwar during a meeting with Netanyahu, but the prime minister disregarded the suggestion. SubscribeThe office of Prime Minister Netanyahu responded sharply to the claims. Prime Minister Netanyahu demanded time and again to target the Hamas leadership and security officials blocked it, something that is well documented in the protocols." The fresh disclosure underscores deep divisions between Netanyahu and parts of the security establishment over how aggressively to confront Hamas leadership in the lead-up to the war.