Netanyahu's Controversial Comment on Hamas Attack and Reservist Protests Sparks Backlash

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to backtrack on his reported comment suggesting that a pre-war protest among army reservists may have motivated Hamas to carry out its attack last month. After facing public backlash, Netanyahu clarified that Hamas started the war because it wanted to "kill us all" and not due to any internal argument. Benny Gantz, a member of Netanyahu's war cabinet, called for a retraction of the comment, stating that avoiding responsibility and blaming others during a time of war is detrimental to the country. The public anger towards political and security leaders was further highlighted by protests outside Netanyahu's residence, with calls for his resignation.