Netanyahu Faces Mounting Criticism Over Gaza Conflict
Former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of leading Israel to 'absolute failure,' citing a lack of strategic planning in the ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Pardo's comments, made on Israeli Channel 13, highlight the absence of a comprehensive plan when the conflict escalated on October 7. This sentiment is echoed by military affairs correspondent Alon Ben David, who noted the Israeli army's reluctance to end the war in Gaza due to potential complications on the northern front.
Pardo's criticisms are further supported by statements from other military officials. Channel 13's Alon Ben David pointed out that eliminating Hamas without a viable political alternative would be impossible. Former head of the army's operations division, Israel Ziv, warned against a regional war involving Hezbollah and Iran, emphasizing that Israel is already exhausted after nine months of conflict.
Internal Friction and Public Protests
The Israeli Army's ongoing offensive in Rafah, southern Gaza, continues despite Hagari's assertion that eradicating Hamas is not feasible without an alternative governance structure. This has led to increased friction with Netanyahu, who faces anti-government protests in Jerusalem. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hagari have both called for a post-war plan, criticizing Netanyahu's 'total victory' rhetoric as misleading.
Hagari's comments have sparked outrage from Netanyahu's office, which insists on the destruction of Hamas' military and governmental capabilities. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with Palestinian sources reporting over 37,430 deaths. Despite this, Netanyahu remains committed to his strategy, meeting with relatives of hostages and reaffirming his stance against Hamas.
The ongoing conflict has also led to humanitarian pauses, with the army ceasing hostilities for eleven hours a day in southern Gaza to facilitate aid. This decision, however, was criticized by Netanyahu, who emphasized the need for continuous operations in Rafah. The army's efforts have reportedly destroyed numerous tunnels and eliminated hundreds of militants, but the situation remains dire.
- In recent weeks, the friction between the Israeli military and Netanyahu has become more pronounced. Hagari has previously hinted that the war could not be won without a solid post-war plan, stressing the need for a political solution to replace Hamas.
- Netanyahu's approach has faced backlash not only from military officials but also from the public. Protests have been ongoing, with demonstrators calling for his resignation and early elections. The Prime Minister's meeting with relatives of dead hostages was a rare gesture, but it did little to quell the growing discontent.
- The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical, with continuous shelling and missile attacks causing extensive casualties and destruction. Despite the army's efforts to facilitate aid, the conflict shows no signs of abating, and the death toll continues to rise.
