With a ceasefire holding in Gaza and most hostages returned, a new and divisive political battle has erupted in Israel. The focus has shifted from the war itself to the crucial question of accountability for the catastrophic security failures that allowed Hamas to launch its devastating October 7, 2023, assault.
Netanyahu's Parliamentary Probe vs. Demand for Independent Inquiry
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after initially rejecting calls for an investigation during the war, has now agreed to one—but on his terms. He is pushing for a commission appointed by the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, arguing it would have broader public support. Crucially, Netanyahu himself would oversee a committee that determines the investigation's mandate.
This stance has put him on a direct collision course with the political opposition and families of the victims. They are demanding a traditional, independent state commission of inquiry, historically overseen by the Supreme Court. Such commissions, like those following the 1973 Yom Kippur War, are led by sitting judges, have quasi-judicial powers, and operate independently of the government.
The rift deepened on December 26, 2025, when the Knesset narrowly passed the first of three required votes to establish Netanyahu's proposed commission. The scene was tense, with families of those killed or kidnapped shouting opposition from the galleries and opposition lawmakers tearing up copies of the bill.
A Unifying Issue for a Fragmented Opposition
As Israel enters an election year, with a national vote required by the end of October 2026, the investigation issue is becoming a central campaign plank. The opposition, a mix of right-wing and left-wing parties, sees Netanyahu's move as an attempt to control the inquiry and evade personal responsibility.
"That does unite the opposition," noted Yaakov Katz of the Jewish People Policy Institute. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who plans to challenge Netanyahu, has pledged to establish an impartial state commission if elected.
Public opinion is firmly on the side of an independent probe. A recent poll by Channel 13 found that 59% of Israelis support establishing a state commission of inquiry. This public sentiment is echoed by the protest movement, which is now pivoting from demanding hostage returns to calling for accountability.
Legal Challenges and a Fight Over Scope
Netanyahu's proposed commission faces significant hurdles. The Supreme Court has already issued a conditional order demanding the government explain why it is not establishing a legally required inquiry. If the parliamentary bill passes, it is likely to face immediate legal challenges.
Furthermore, there is a fundamental dispute over what the investigation should examine. Netanyahu's coalition allies argue the mandate should extend beyond the immediate security failures to include the impact of the 1993 Oslo Accords and the protest movement against Netanyahu's judicial overhaul. Critics see this as an attempt to dilute the focus and spread blame.
For the families of the victims, the core demand remains simple and urgent. "We need answers to how did all of this happen and how do we prevent such a disaster from ever happening again," said Jon Polin, whose son was killed after 328 days in captivity. The political struggle over the form of the inquiry will determine if those answers are seen as credible by a nation seeking to heal and learn from its worst tragedy.
