Current sectionIsrael NewsIsrael Political NewsSources who spoke to Haaretz contradict Netanyahu's claim that 'the first thing' he did on October 7 was order the southern border sealed to prevent Hamas from taking Israelis hostage. Minutes of his second call that day do not include a clear operational directive eitherShare to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeJosh Breiner10:55 PM • July 23 2026 IDTPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently claimed on two different occasions that he sought to seal Israel's border with Gaza as Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack unfolded to prevent abductions, but sources familiar with the details told Haaretz that he did not issue such a directive during his initial conversations that day.Loading...Click the alert icon to follow topics:TerrorismHamasIDFGazaIsraeli politicsBenjamin NetanyahuIsrael-Gaza WarHamas hostagesOctober 7CommentsLoading...In the NewsIn the News: Live UpdatesU.S.-Saudi DealIranGazaPalestinian AuthorityLindsey GrahamIsrael ElectionsHaQuizHaaretz PodcastMossad Says It Foiled Iranian Plot to Assassinate Senior Israeli OfficialsAre These the People Who Will Reverse the Damage Netanyahu Did to Israel?Ex-coalition MK: Lawmakers Were Ordered to Film Their Vote for PM Watchdog PickEven if Israel Ends Settler Violence, the Violence of the Occupation Will RemainEilat Resident Arrested on Suspicion of Murdering a Migrant Worker in JerusalemRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIThe Most Optimistic Israeli in Jerusalem Is Leaving the CountryAs Ground Invasion Looms, U.S. and Iran Want Wild-card Israel Out of the FightThe Original Ozempic Society of Ancient RomeBetween Messi and Milei: How Argentina Became Israel's Team at the World Cup'Choose Hope': Natalie Portman Backs Arab-Jewish Party Ahead of Israeli ElectionHélène Cixous: 'I Accept Israel's Existence, but I Don't Identify With It'