Israeli media reports said – today, Sunday – that leaders in the army and security services increased their criticism and pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amid fears of “erosion of military achievements” in the Gaza Strip due to the delay in the political decision on several issues.
The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the military security establishment is calling on Netanyahu to resolve the situation quickly and make a decision on two important issues, as it described it: “Who will rule Gaza after Hamas, and approving the purchase of two squadrons of modern warplanes from the United States.”
The Israeli newspaper quoted senior leaders in the army and security services as saying that failure to take a decision regarding what they call the “day after” the war may cause the erosion of what it described as the army’s operational military achievements in the Gaza Strip.
The same sources added that delaying the purchase of modern warplanes “harms Israel’s security.”
In turn, the Walla news website said that the army criticized Netanyahu’s government and warned it that “the army’s achievements may be eroded, at a time when talks are faltering to conclude a deal that would allow the release of all kidnapped Israelis in Gaza.”
The website added that army leaders did not hesitate to direct harsh criticism because the political leadership had not decided its decision and had no intention of renewing control and transferring the management of the Rafah crossing to a party other than Hamas.
He described them as difficult days… Get to know the highlights of what the Israeli media covered about the war in the Gaza Strip #Gaza#Gaza_War #News pic.twitter.com/VSwVjEeAtk
– Tel Aviv Tribune Channel (@AJArabic) May 12, 2024
Halevy warns Netanyahu
Earlier, Israeli Channel 13 said that Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy sent a “dramatic warning” to Netanyahu with the escalation of Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip.
The channel confirmed that Halevy said in his letter to Netanyahu, “You keep returning to military action because you are not making decisions.”
In a related context, Israeli Radio reported today the resignation of Yoram Hamo, who is responsible for drawing up strategic affairs in the Israeli Security Council.
The official radio said that the reason for Hamo’s resignation was the Prime Minister’s failure to take decisions regarding the “day after” the war and the return of military operations in the northern Gaza Strip.
About a week ago, the occupation army began attacking the eastern neighborhoods of the city of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, a few hours after the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) announced its approval of the mediators’ proposal for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange.
Israeli forces occupied the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, halting the movement of humanitarian aid trucks and the evacuation of wounded and sick Palestinians.
In parallel with the attack on eastern Rafah, the occupation army began a new incursion into Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip, and into the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, where it was confronted by Palestinian resistance factions, which announced the implementation of a series of operations and ambushes against these invading forces and vehicles.