Justice Minister Yariv Levin has been appointed to head a special ministerial panel that will determine the scope and authority of the government’s commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. The panel will play a decisive role in shaping what incidents, decisions, and leadership actions the commission will probe.
The newly formed team includes several high-profile ministers: Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, Ze’ev Elkin, Avi Dichter, Gila Gamliel, Orit Strock, Amichay Eliyahu, and Amichai Chikli. They will have 45 days to define the commission’s mandate, including timeframes, operational questions, and the responsibilities of political, military, and intelligence officials before and during the attack.
The creation of this panel comes amid significant public and political pressure to investigate how Hamas managed to carry out one of the deadliest assaults in Israel’s history. While some argue the commission must have full independence, others warn that political involvement could limit its effectiveness.
The panel’s recommendations will shape one of the most consequential national inquiries in decades.
