Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said in an interview published today that he was “sorry” that Hamas was able to carry out its October 7, 2023, attack, without explicitly taking responsibility, AFP reports.

Netanyahu, who has resisted making an apology for security failures over Israel’s worst-ever attack and focused on destroying Hamas, was asked if he would apologise during an interview with Time magazine.

“Apologise?” he was quoted as replying.

“Of course, of course. I am sorry, deeply, that something like this happened. And you always look back and you say, ‘Could we have done things that would have prevented it?’” he said.

In the interview, Time asked Netanyahu what his message would be to a political rival who presided over the country’s worst security failure.

Netanyahu replied that it depended on whether the leader could lead Israel “to victory”.

“Can they assure that the postwar situation will be one of peace and security? If the answer is yes, they should stay in power.”