Ex-IOF cmdr: Hamas defeat impossible, Gaza events disgrace to 'Israel'
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The commanders of four Israeli divisions in Gaza report dissatisfaction and criticism among the reserve forces.
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Israeli soldiers from the Givati Brigade attend the funeral for a sergeant who was killed in the Gaza Strip, at Mount Herzl military cemetery in occupied al-Quds, on Friday, May 31, 2024. (AP)
The commanders of the four divisions of the Israeli military operating in the Gaza Strip informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a discussion that their soldiers are extremely exhausted from continuous service over the past nine months and that they are experiencing "burnout", the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported.
The division commanders spoke about increasing dissatisfaction and criticism among the Israeli reserve forces operating in Gaza, citing inequality in sharing the burdens of military service with the Haredim (Ultra-Orthodox Jews) and insufficient wages, warning that this has a "negative impact" on the military's performance on the battlefield.
The commanders also told Netanyahu that destroying Hamas' tunnels and infrastructure would take "a long time."
On Tuesday, The New York Times reported that top Israeli military generals are urging for a ceasefire in Gaza. The newspaper conducted interviews with current and former Israeli generals who are in support of a ceasefire in Gaza, likely leading to a truce with the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah, especially since they believe it is the most suitable solution in their vulnerable state.
"They understand that a pause in Gaza makes de-escalation more likely in Lebanon. And they have less munitions, less spare parts, less energy than they did before — so they also think a pause in Gaza gives us more time to prepare in case a bigger war does break out with Hezbollah," said former advisor Eyal Hulata.
This comes as Israeli media recently reported that the Israeli occupation military plans to conclude its operation in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, in the coming days, ending the ongoing war on Gaza in its current form.
Netanyahu is reportedly holding discussions with senior military leaders about ending the Rafah operation and dramatically altering the nature of the war on Gaza.
Israeli media indicated that this meant the military would be transitioning to a phase of concentrated and targeted raids accompanied by airstrikes.
This comes a week after Netanyahu said the Israeli military's heavy fighting against Hamas in Rafah was nearly over.
"The intense phase of the fighting against Hamas is about to end," Netanyahu said in an interview for the Israeli Channel 14.
However, he pointed out that this "doesn't mean that the war is about to end, but the war in its intense phase is about to end in Rafah."
Israeli media suggested that with the end of the Rafah operation, "Israel" will practically engage in negotiations for a settlement with Hezbollah in Lebanon under the mediation of the United States.
'Great disgrace for Israel'
In a related context, Itzhak Brik, Major (Reserve) General in the Israeli occupation military, described on Wednesday the situation in the Gaza Strip as "a great disgrace for Israel," commenting, "We are losing on a large scale."
Brik accused Netanyahu of "throwing dust in people's eyes," as he overlooks the losses suffered by "Israel," adding that Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi is lying and aims to stay in his position until the end of his term.
He reiterated that the Israeli military knows it is "impossible to defeat Hamas," while Israeli soldiers are being killed in the Gaza Strip, pointing out that talks about continuing the war "until Hamas is undermined" are mere slogans.
In an interview for the Israeli channel KAN, Brik called on Israelis to wake up before Netanyahu, Gallant, and Halevi drag "Israel" into a comprehensive regional war, warning that a battle against Hezbollah now will deal a strategic defeat to "Israel".
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