Deep political divisions in Israel over Hamas’ surprise military operation in southern Israel on October 7 have once again come to light as Transportation Minister Miri Regev and Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi have locked horns during a cabinet meeting.

They clashed during Thursday night’s cabinet meeting regarding the army’s revelations that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received multiple warnings ahead of October 7 that Israel’s enemies were seeking to take advance of the upheaval in Israeli society, according to Israeli media. 

“If the Military Intelligence Directorate were so disturbed, why did you allow army-wide vacations in October? Why didn’t you do more?” Regev asked in leaked transcripts aired on Channel 12 on Friday.

Halevi responded tersely, asking Regev, known for her loyalty to Netanyahu, if she was accusing the army of deliberately allowing the October 7 assault to happen.