Netanyahu coalition pushes contentious 7 October attack probe Israel's parliament gave the initial go-ahead on Wednesday for a government-empowered inquiry into the 7 October, 2023 attack led by Hamas on southern Israel, instead of the independent investigation sought by families of those affected. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposed creating a state commission to examine Israel’s failures before the attack and has not taken responsibility for it. His ruling coalition voted on Wednesday to advance a bill which grants parliament members the authority to pick panel members for an inquiry and gives Netanyahu's cabinet the power to set its mandate. Critics say the move circumvents Israel's 1968 Commissions of Inquiry Law, under which the president of the Supreme Court appoints an independent panel to investigate major state failures. Survivors and relatives of those hurt in the attack have launched a campaign against the proposed probe, saying only a state commission can bring those accountable to justice.