War planning halted in Israel due to conflict between Netanyahu and the minister
"The Economist" reports that strategic military action planning against Hamas is being put on hold due to escalating tensions among Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Galant, and high-ranking officers. The formation of a special national unity government that includes a military cabinet has so far failed to yield the expected results.
The disharmony between Netanyahu and Galant is not a recent development. Galant was dismissed by the prime minister in March following a strong wave of criticism from the minister over controversial changes in the judiciary. However, subsequent broad-based protests compelled Netanyahu to reinstate him, the British weekly remembers.
Before Galant reassumed his post as defense minister, he expressed concerns at a confidential session in the Knesset. He warned, citing intelligence reports, that the unrest caused by social protest in the country might make Israel an attractive target for enemies' attacks.
The "Economist" perceives the formation of a "unity government" in response to the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, which included representatives from the opposition party, has not resulted in meaningful unity.
Moreover, Netanyahu's dealings with Israeli generals have been strained for some time and deteriorated further after the attack by Hamas. "They are waiting for a clear indication of the government's intention," a senior representative of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confided to the magazine.
The magazine notes that Israeli politicians, predominantly the prime minister, appear to be lacking such clarity. The prime minister also convened a "shadow cabinet" of ex-generals and security officials to scrutinize and challenge Galant's and the IDF generals' plans. Additionally, Netanyahu has implemented a policy of isolating the Gaza Strip for over a decade. The attack on October 7 has shown the tragic failure of this policy, the magazine observes.
The magazine warns that the prime minister's politicization of the war, coupled with his hesitancy in planning next steps, could further compromise Israel.
On Saturday, "The Financial Times" cited expert assessments that Israel lacks a long-term strategy for the Gaza Strip.
The British daily emphasized the unparalleled intensity of Israel's response to Hamas' October 7 attack, compounded by the absence of a clear vision in the Jewish state of what the post-war Gaza Strip should look like, or when the war might end.
