Netanyahu Pushes October 7 Inquiry as Qatar Ties Scandal Grows

Israel’s parliament has taken a first step to create a special commission investigating the Hamas attacks of October 7. The move follows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s preference for a government-led inquiry instead of a fully independent state investigation. The new commission will examine the security and intelligence failures that preceded the attacks. Critics argue that a probe controlled by the ruling coalition will not be impartial. This development comes as Netanyahu faces a separate political scandal. Reports focus on his advisers' past business ties to Qatar, a Gulf nation that hosts Hamas leaders and is a key mediator in ceasefire talks. The emerging details complicate the Prime Minister’s position as he seeks to manage the post-war investigation. The inquiry bill requires further parliamentary votes to become law.