Benny Gantz Calls for Immediate Inquiry into October 7 Hamas Attack
In the wake of the Hamas attack on October 7, former Minister of Defense and former Chief of Staff Benny Gantz has reiterated his opposition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by calling for an immediate state commission of inquiry. While Netanyahu prefers to wait until the end of the ongoing war in Gaza, Gantz insists that a commission is needed 'as soon as possible' to prevent such incidents in the future.
Gantz emphasized, 'We must assume our responsibilities and act so that this does not happen again. The only way to achieve this is to set up a state commission of inquiry immediately.' He has announced his intention to submit a formal resolution for the creation of this commission.
The Israeli military has disclosed that Netanyahu received 'four warning letters' from military intelligence in 2023, indicating potential threats from Israel's enemies, including Hamas. However, Netanyahu's office maintains there were no specific warnings regarding an imminent attack from Gaza. Despite this, the situation has led to increasing calls for a thorough investigation, particularly after violent images of the October 7 kidnappings were aired in Israeli media.
Moreover, the war cabinet has given the green light for continued negotiations for the release of hostages, responding to public pressure and protests in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Families of the abductees have urged the government to expedite negotiations for the hostages' safe return.
The broader geopolitical landscape is also complicated. Egypt, which has been mediating between Israel and Hamas, has threatened to withdraw from its mediator role due to allegations of bias and manipulations in ceasefire proposals. This could impede ongoing humanitarian efforts and escalate tensions further.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has engaged in talks with Israeli Minister of Defense Joav Galant, stressing the importance of reopening the Rafah border crossing and improving the flow of aid into Gaza. To date, the U.S. asserts that Israel's military operations in Rafah have been targeted and limited without causing widespread urban devastation.
- Netanyahu remains under significant domestic pressure, particularly after the release of a disturbing video showing the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers. The Prime Minister has vowed to 'do everything to bring them home' and has intensified his stance against Hamas, promising to eliminate the group to prevent future atrocities.
- In the unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7, approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed and over 250 were taken hostage, triggering a large-scale military response from Israel. This offensive has resulted in over 35,700 reported deaths in Gaza, though these figures are difficult to verify and do not differentiate between combatants and civilians.
- Amid the conflict, Israeli Defense Minister Joav Galant is also advocating for the reconstruction of settlements in the West Bank, a move that has drawn international criticism and could further complicate peace efforts.
