Israel is ‘on the precipice of defeat' in Gaza, ex military chiefs say — as Netanyahu believes only military victory can free hostages
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, is reportedly pushing to ramp up the military campaign in the Palestinian territory, believing that only a total victory over Hamas can free the captives.
The retired Israeli leaders, including former prime minister and IDF chief Ehud Barak, said in a video released Sunday that Israel has accumulated too many loses in Gaza with no clear end in site, with the officials accusing Netanyahu of keeping the war alive for the sole purpose of preserving the fragile right-wing coalition that controls his government.
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'We are on the precipice of defeat,' said former Mossad director Tamir Pardo, referencing the mass backlash against Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
5 A group of 19 former top Israeli officials called for an end to the war in Gaza to bring the hostages home.
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'What the world sees today is of our own creation,' he said of the images of starving children in Gaza.
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'We are hiding behind a lie that we wrought,' he added, of the need to keep the war going. 'This lie was sold to the Israeli public, and the world has long since understood that it doesn't reflect the real picture.'
Former Shin Bet director Ami Ayalon echoed the concerns from the retired officials that the war in Gaza has transformed in the nearly 21-months since it began, with Israel growing more and more diplomatically isolated as the civilian deaths in the Gaza add up.
'This war started as a just war. It was a defensive war,' he said. 'But once we achieved all its military objectives, once we achieved a brilliant military victory against all our enemies, this war stopped being a just war.
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5 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that military might is the best way to save the hostages.
AFP via Getty Images
5 Critics fear that the fighting may put the lives of the hostages at risk as Israeli bombardments expand to even the few spared cities of Gaza.
AFP via Getty Images
'It is leading the State of Israel to the loss of its security and identity,' he added. '…We have a duty to stand up and say what we need to say.'
Yoram Cohen, another former Shin Bet director, also slammed the notion that Hamas can be eradicated through military means as a 'fantasy.'
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The IDF had claimed earlier this year that it had killed more than 17,000 Hamas operatives, about 70% of the terror group's estimated forces. Yet US and Israeli officials have warned that the terror group has been able to recruit replacements to replace the lost terrorists — and likely will be able to continue doing so.
5 The retired Israeli officials say the war has become warped and risks isolating their nation over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
AP
Despite the call from the 19 former officials, Netanyahu is reportedly still 'pushing for the release of the hostages through decisive military victory,' the Times of Israel reported.
The embattled prime minister has maintained that military pressure on Hamas is the best way to free the 50 remaining hostages in Gaza, with cease-fire talks falling to the wayside last week after both Israel and the US pulled their negotiation team from Doha.
5 Famine is looming over the Strip with not enough aid coming in and no end in sight to the war.
REUTERS
President Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, said that the US and Israel are close to a 'very, very good plan' to end the war in Gaza and free the remaining hostages.
Neither Netanyahu nor Witkoff have elaborated on what the new plan is, with Hamas expressing zero interest in a hostage exchange deal without a clear framework to end the war in Gaza permanently.
The group has also rejected any terms that would see it demilitarize and cede control of the Palestinian enclave, two conditions that Israel has said are mandatory to end the war.
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The need to end the fighting has gained new pressure amid the looming famine in Gaza, with scores of Palestinians dying from malnutrition-related cases, including children.
The global outrage only got louder after Hamas published propaganda video of two hostages, showing their emaciated bodies and cries for food and water inside the terror group's vast tunnel system.
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The Hill
6 minutes ago
- The Hill
Plans to take Gaza City are met with defiance from war-weary Palestinians and anger by many Israelis
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel's decision to take over Gaza City was met with resignation and defiance by Palestinians who have survived two years of war and repeated raids. Many Israelis responded with fear and anger, worried it could be a death sentence for hostages held in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that Israel would intensify its 22-month war with Hamas by taking over Gaza City, large parts of which have been destroyed by past bombardment and ground incursions. A major ground operation is almost sure to cause more mass displacement and worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. 'What does (Israel) want from us? … There is nothing here to occupy,' said a woman in Gaza City who identified herself as Umm Youssef. 'There is no life here. I have to walk every day for more than 15 minutes to get drinking water.' Ruby Chen, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen whose son, Itay, is a hostage held in Gaza, told The Associated Press that the decision puts the remaining hostages in danger. 'What is the plan now that is different from the last 22 months?' he said. Ehud Olmert, a former prime minister and harsh critic of Netanyahu, told the AP 'there's not any objective that can be achieved that's worth the cost of the lives of the hostages, the soldiers' and civilians, echoing concerns expressed by many former top security officials in Israel. 'I will die here' Netanyahu says military pressure is key to achieving Israel's war goals of returning all the hostages and destroying Hamas. On Thursday, he told Fox News that Israel intends to eventually take over all of Gaza and hand it over to a friendly Arab civilian administration. But Hamas has survived nearly two years of war and several large-scale ground operations, including in Gaza City. In a statement, the militant group said the people of Gaza would 'remain defiant against occupation' and warned Israel that the incursion 'will not be a walk in the park.' Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled Gaza City in the opening weeks of the war, the first of several mass displacements. Many returned during a ceasefire earlier this year. Now, residents say they are too busy searching for food and trying to survive amid the city's bombed-out buildings and tent camps to think about another exodus. 'I have no intention to leave my home, I will die here,' said Kamel Abu Nahel from the city's urban Shati refugee camp. Israel already controls and has largely destroyed around 75% of the Gaza Strip, with most of its population of some 2 million Palestinians now sheltering in Gaza City, the central city of Deir al-Balah and the sprawling displacement camps in the Muwasi area along the coast. The offensive has killed over 61,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters or civilians. It says women and children make up around half the dead. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The United Nations and other experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of casualties, while Israel disputes them. Ismail Zaydah said he and his family had remained in Gaza City throughout the war. 'This is our land, there is no other place for us to go,' he said. 'We are not surrendering … We were born here, and here we die.' 'This madman called Netanyahu' Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack that started the war and killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Though most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals, 50 are still in Gaza, less than half of them believed by Israel to be alive. Relatives of many of the hostages and their supporters have repeatedly protested against the continuation of the war, demanding that Israel reach a ceasefire with Hamas that would include the return of their loved ones. The long-running talks broke down last month. 'Somebody's got to stop this madman called Netanyahu,' said Yehuda Cohen, whose son Nimrod is held hostage. He said faith in the United States to help is also dwindling. 'I lost hope with Donald Trump … he's letting Netanyahu just do whatever he likes,' he said. But other Israelis voiced support for the decision. 'They need to go after Hamas,' said Susan Makin, a Tel Aviv resident. 'Why are they not asking why Hamas has not given back the hostages and put (down) their arms?' The agony around the plight of the hostages has worsened in recent days as Palestinians militants have released videos showing two of the captives emaciated and pleading for their lives. Families fear their loved ones, who may be held in other parts of Gaza, are running out time. Amir Avivi, a retired Israeli general and chairman of Israel's Defense and Security Forum, said there are a few hostages in Gaza City and the army will have to decide how to manage the situation. He said they might be able to surround the hostages and negotiate directly with their captors or leave those areas untouched. Under pressure, Hamas might decide to release the captives, he said. That strategy carries great risk. Last year, Israeli forces recovered the bodies of six hostages who were killed by their captors when troops approached the tunnel where they were being held.
San Francisco Chronicle
6 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Plans to take Gaza City are met with defiance from war-weary Palestinians and anger by many Israelis
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel's decision to take over Gaza City was met with resignation and defiance by Palestinians who have survived two years of war and repeated raids. Many Israelis responded with fear and anger, worried it could be a death sentence for hostages held in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that Israel would intensify its 22-month war with Hamas by taking over Gaza City, large parts of which have been destroyed by past bombardment and ground incursions. A major ground operation is almost sure to cause more mass displacement and worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. 'What does (Israel) want from us? ... There is nothing here to occupy,' said a woman in Gaza City who identified herself as Umm Youssef. 'There is no life here. I have to walk every day for more than 15 minutes to get drinking water." Ruby Chen, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen whose son, Itay, is a hostage held in Gaza, told The Associated Press that the decision puts the remaining hostages in danger. 'What is the plan now that is different from the last 22 months?' he said. Ehud Olmert, a former prime minister and harsh critic of Netanyahu, told the AP 'there's not any objective that can be achieved that's worth the cost of the lives of the hostages, the soldiers' and civilians, echoing concerns expressed by many former top security officials in Israel. 'I will die here' Netanyahu says military pressure is key to achieving Israel's war goals of returning all the hostages and destroying Hamas. On Thursday, he told Fox News that Israel intends to eventually take over all of Gaza and hand it over to a friendly Arab civilian administration. But Hamas has survived nearly two years of war and several large-scale ground operations, including in Gaza City. In a statement, the militant group said the people of Gaza would 'remain defiant against occupation' and warned Israel that the incursion 'will not be a walk in the park.' Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled Gaza City in the opening weeks of the war, the first of several mass displacements. Many returned during a ceasefire earlier this year. Now, residents say they are too busy searching for food and trying to survive amid the city's bombed-out buildings and tent camps to think about another exodus. 'I have no intention to leave my home, I will die here," said Kamel Abu Nahel from the city's urban Shati refugee camp. Israel already controls and has largely destroyed around 75% of the Gaza Strip, with most of its population of some 2 million Palestinians now sheltering in Gaza City, the central city of Deir al-Balah and the sprawling displacement camps in the Muwasi area along the coast. The offensive has killed over 61,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters or civilians. It says women and children make up around half the dead. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The United Nations and other experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of casualties, while Israel disputes them. Ismail Zaydah said he and his family had remained in Gaza City throughout the war. 'This is our land, there is no other place for us to go,' he said. 'We are not surrendering ... We were born here, and here we die." 'This madman called Netanyahu' Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack that started the war and killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Though most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals, 50 are still in Gaza, less than half of them believed by Israel to be alive. Relatives of many of the hostages and their supporters have repeatedly protested against the continuation of the war, demanding that Israel reach a ceasefire with Hamas that would include the return of their loved ones. The long-running talks broke down last month. 'Somebody's got to stop this madman called Netanyahu,' said Yehuda Cohen, whose son Nimrod is held hostage. He said faith in the United States to help is also dwindling. 'I lost hope with Donald Trump ... he's letting Netanyahu just do whatever he likes,' he said. But other Israelis voiced support for the decision. 'They need to go after Hamas,' said Susan Makin, a Tel Aviv resident. 'Why are they not asking why Hamas has not given back the hostages and put (down) their arms?' The agony around the plight of the hostages has worsened in recent days as Palestinians militants have released videos showing two of the captives emaciated and pleading for their lives. Families fear their loved ones, who may be held in other parts of Gaza, are running out time. Amir Avivi, a retired Israeli general and chairman of Israel's Defense and Security Forum, said there are a few hostages in Gaza City and the army will have to decide how to manage the situation. He said they might be able to surround the hostages and negotiate directly with their captors or leave those areas untouched. Under pressure, Hamas might decide to release the captives, he said. That strategy carries great risk. Last year, Israeli forces recovered the bodies of six hostages who were killed by their captors when troops approached the tunnel where they were being held. ___ ___
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