Survivors, victims' family members, and other individuals affected by the October 7 Hamas massacre released the "October 7 Files" on Tuesday, a collection of documents and reports detailing the tragic events of that day and the time leading up to it.
"How is it possible that the greatest disaster in the State of Israel has not been investigated?" Shelly Mashal Yogev, mother of Libby Cohen Meguri, who was killed at the Nova music festival, said during a press conference. "After all, there are those to blame; we cannot simply move on with our lives, yet they do."
Yogev blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the disaster, listing several points where she considered him at fault.
"He devised a policy based on the need to crush Hamas and weaken [Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud] Abbas," she accused Netanyahu. "He encouraged the influx of Qatari funds and billions into Israel, as well as the tons of concrete - materials amidst which our hostages languished, and from which some never returned."
She also claimed that Netanyahu had been warned by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), but had refused to authorize the killing of high-ranking terrorists ahead of the massacre.
She also addressed Netanyahu directly, demanding he explain why he hadn't assassinated Yahya Sinwar, former head of Hamas.
"If you had listened regarding the elimination of Sinwar, Libi would be here beside me," she accused. "You charted the policy of transferring funds to Hamas - for what? What were you thinking?"
"The information presented here today reveals that the flawed 'conception' was the product of policy decisions made over fifteen years," she said, adding, "decisions that led us directly to the October 7 massacre."
Hostage families demand explanation from government for October 7
Einav Zangauker, mother of former Gaza hostage Matan Zangauker, also demanded an explanation for what she described as the government's "campaign of escaping responsibility" for the conditions which preceded October 7.
"Why were massive sums of money transferred for years when it was known that Hamas controlled the area?" she asked. "What actions were - or were not - taken in response to the warnings? Why did the policy continue, and why were the warnings ignored?"
She also invited the public to read through the "October 7 Files" to " familiarize yourself with the facts, and hold accountable those responsible for the debacle - those attempting to sow division and rewrite history."
Another October 7 victim's parent called for everyone in the government to be investigated: "The prime minister, the defense minister, the IDF chief of staff, the opposition, the Mossad, Shin Bet, National Security Council," Natalia Casarotti, mother of Keshet, said. "Anyone found guilty must be imprisoned."
Netanyahu should not be allowed to run in election, soldier's father says
A father of a soldier who was killed in Gaza, Professor Ephraim Shoham, criticized Netanyahu for not destroying Hamas.
"The prime minister previously stated that a government led by him would topple Hamas," he said. "Seventeen years have since passed, 16 of which he has served as prime minister. Throughout this entire period, he did not marginalize Hamas; instead, he bolstered the organization by facilitating the transfer of funds to it and shielding its leaders. Netanyahu’s own cabinet colleagues have attested that this was indeed his approach, noting that he wanted Hamas to remain standing."
After this concept collapsed on October 7, Shoham said, Netanyahu should not be allowed to run in elections or serve as prime minister.
Noam Peri, whose father Haim Peri was a Gaza hostage, claimed that Netanyahu had refused a proposal to bring back the children, women, and elderly men taken hostage, saying that "the picture is clear" in the October 7 Files.
"Sadly, my father was right," Peri said. "The person who led us to October 7 must go."
Lishay Miran, whose husband was abducted during the massacre, said that the October 7 Files were "a collection of thousands of puzzle pieces, a picture which explains how we got to October 7, how we can't be allowed to close our eyes in case we reach a day like that again."
Gil Dickmann, cousin of the killed hostage Carmel Gat, said that she was there to prevent the next massacre.
"I'm here for the next Carmel, the hostages who haven't been kidnapped yet and the victims who haven't been murdered. We're here to stop the next disaster."
Dickmann added that the government could not be allowed to bury the October 7 massacre.
"We will hound you from studio to studio, from panel to panel, like the Mark of Cain," she said.
Government ignored October 7 warnings, hostage's sister accuses
Meirav Svirsky, whose parents were killed in Kibbutz Be’eri and whose sister was the late hostage Itay Svirsky, accused the government of ignoring warnings as to the danger.
"Over the past week, we learned - through the important investigative report by Ruth Yuval and Shlomi Eldar - about the warnings that could have prevented the disaster. For years - dating back to the 'Jericho Wall' plan - there had been warnings from female IDF observers and alerts from regional actors. Yet, the decision was made to stick to the prevailing concept: that Hamas was deterred and that quiet could be bought."
Michel Iluz, father of the killed hostage Guy Iluz, invited government ministers to come to his son's grave to tell them what the "complete victory" was.
"We have come to fight the campaign of lies and ask the tough questions," he said. "I want to know what happened to my son on October 7, not fairy tales. As a father whose world has been shattered, we deserve answers and accountability. Such answers will only be obtained once a state commission of inquiry is established."
"In recent years, the State of Israel has not been a normal place," Naomi Or Ofek, 16, a relative of several massacre victims and Gaza hostages, said. "All of this is the outcome of human failure under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu."