Israel's prime minister has apologized for his comment that the country's defense and intelligence officials failed to detect the possibility of a large-scale attack by Hamas before the surprise assault on October 7.

Benjamin Netanyahu said in a social media post on Sunday that he had never been warned, under any circumstances and at any stage, about the attack by Hamas.

He said the heads of intelligence agencies believed that Hamas was deterred, and all defense officials maintained that assessment up to the outbreak of the conflict.

Opposition party leader Benny Gantz, who is a member of the war management cabinet, responded to the comment.

In a social media post, Gantz said that leadership must show responsibility when the nation is at war. He called on the prime minister to retract the statement.

Another opposition leader also accused Netanyahu of trying to evade responsibility.

Netanyahu eventually deleted his post. In a new post, he said he was wrong and offered an apology for saying what should not have been said. The prime minister said he fully backs all security chiefs, as well as commanders and soldiers on the frontlines.