Key Israeli war leader challenges Netanyahu over Gaza strategy
A key member of Israel’s war cabinet has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of not telling the truth about the military goals in Gaza.
The prime minister has publicly rejected the US push for a future Palestinian state and insisted the offensive would continue “until complete victory.”.
But Gadi Eisenkot said those advocating the “absolute defeat” of Hamas were not “speaking the truth.”.
The retired general’s son was killed fighting in Gaza.
He also said Netanyahu shared “sharp and clear responsibility” for failing to protect his country on October 7 and urged fresh elections, saying there was “no trust” in Israel’s current leadership.
Hamas killed around 1,300 people and took 240 hostages in their surprise attack on southern Israel.
Almost 25,000 people have been killed by Israeli air strikes in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Tensions among the cabinet, with reports that the prime minister and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are barely on speaking terms, come as the chasm between Israel and its Western allies widens.
After Mr. Netanyahu’s comments on Palestinian statehood, White House national security adviser John Kirby said the United States and Israel “clearly see things differently.”.
A State Department spokesman said that there was no way to solve Israel’s security challenges without a Palestinian state.
The White House said President Joe Biden discussed a two-state solution with Mr. Netanyahu during a call on Friday—the first in nearly a month.
