'Go home': Former Israeli Security Minister to Netanyahu

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
25 Oct 2023 13:34

Moshe Ya'alon expresses his concerns over what he saw as a significant void in the government's actions from the very outset of the war.

Israeli occupation’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (AFP)

Former Israeli Minister of Security, Moshe Ya'alon, stated in an interview for Israeli Channel 13 that he perceived a "vacuum" in the government's actions from the very first day of the war. He added that the Israeli Chief of General Staff and the head of Military Intelligence failed in their roles during the recent events in Gaza.

He also pointed out that Gal Hirsch, the person in charge of the Israeli captives' file in Gaza, lacks the necessary experience to handle this issue. Ya'alon affirmed that if he were to receive an invitation from the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to take part in the aggression on the Gaza Strip, he would say, "I will come, and you go home."

This comes shortly after the Israeli Ynet news website reported that at least three ministers are considering resigning from Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's government, accusing him of being behind the deteriorating conditions.

Ynet also reported that the "Kiryat Shmona" settlement has become like a ghost town, with empty streets and settlers living in panic and fear. Those who were evacuated from there have found no accommodations in hotels, a settler told Ynet.

According to the news website, Netanyahu is hesitant about a ground operation because he fears two simultaneous fronts getting involved.

Hezbollah could drag "Israel" into a long-term war that would have little costs on the Resistance, in comparison to those incurred by the occupation, Ynet reported.

On its front page on Oct. 23, Yedioth Ahranot newspaper wrote, "After 17 days of the attack on Israel, everyone is trapped. Prime Minister Netanyahu is mad at the army, blaming it for everything that happened, and he finds it difficult to decide on entering Gaza. According to witnesses at the army command headquarters, the discussion is not focused, and no one is managing the civilian effort."

Israeli sources have also pointed out several discrepancies between the statements and actions of the Israeli occupation forces, especially regarding a potential ground invasion of Gaza.