Netanyahu held direct talks with Hamas behind security establishment's back during 2014 Gaza war

During Operation Protective Edge in 2014, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu engaged in direct, secret negotiations with Hamas, bypassing the established security apparatus. These talks, facilitated by Israeli businessman Shlomi Fogel and guided by then-National Security Council chief Yossi Cohen, involved direct phone conversations with senior Hamas figure Razi Hamed. This parallel channel operated while an official Israeli delegation was conducting separate ceasefire negotiations in Egypt. When confronted by defense officials, Netanyahu initially denied involvement, but it later emerged that Fogel was acting with the Prime Minister's authorization. An anonymous security official stated, "People's jaws dropped" upon discovering the clandestine talks.