Israeli media: Fear of war ending without victory
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In addition to the lack of confidence in the political leadership, Israeli media points out that in the current war, there is a lack of trust and a deep rift concerning the security leadership as well.
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Chanting "Jail now!", Israeli settlers pushed through police barriers around Netanyahu's house in occupied Al-Quds on November 4, 2023. (X)
Israeli media has discussed a decline in confidence in the Israeli government, especially in recent years. It points out that operations and wars over the years that have not ended with "total victory" have led to a loss of confidence in the political leadership, especially amid internal divisions and corruption.
Political analyst Chai Klein said during an interview for Israeli Channel 7 that "confidence in the Israeli government has declined significantly in recent years," adding that "operations and wars that we have stopped before achieving victory have across the years made us lose confidence in the political leadership."
He continued, "Quarrels, trivial matters, corruption, and the lack of spirit on the part of Israeli leaders have diminished their stature and weakened their leadership and trust in them."
Israeli fears of not achieving any victory come amid significant losses suffered by the Israeli forces during their attempts to invade the Gaza Strip, in addition to their losses on the "Northern front", he further stressed.
Deep rift in security leadership
The lack of confidence in the political leadership has manifested in recent protests by families of Israeli captives. "Tel Aviv" recently witnessed a massive demonstration by the families of Israeli captives against the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, with the participation of tens of thousands of Israeli settlers. During the protest, signs were raised with slogans like "We are dying because of Netanyahu's policy," demanding an end to the war and the release of all Israeli captives in Gaza.
In addition to the lack of confidence in the political leadership, Israeli media pointed out that in the current war, there is a lack of trust and a deep rift concerning the security leadership as well. Media reported a significant failure in identifying and understanding the threat from the South (Gaza) and the North (Lebanese border with occupied Palestine).
This comes shortly after Israeli occupation's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged on Saturday night to persist in the war on Gaza "until the end" and until achieving "total victory" over the "terrorist" organization. He asserted that in previous rounds of conflict, he was unable to do so due to the lack of necessary domestic or international consensus.
Protest and distrust, Israeli unit refused returning to battle
In addition to the points mentioned earlier, Israeli media has recently delved into the increasing crisis of confidence among Israeli occupation forces. This crisis is exacerbated by the dismissal of officers who withdrew from confrontations in Gaza in protest of the "failure to provide cover during an incursion, resulting in a fatal ambush."
Yoav Zeitoun, the military affairs correspondent for Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, verified that approximately half of one company's soldiers had not rejoined the unit following the dismissal of the two officers in question. These officers, along with dozens of their subordinates, asserted that they did not receive fire support when confronting dozens of fighters, leading to their withdrawal.
According to Zeitoun, the investigation indicates inadequate preparation for the incursion. He noted that the Israeli military opted to dismiss both officers, the company commander and his deputy, following a battle in the northern Gaza Strip amid the ground operation. In this engagement, the force withdrew as they did not receive the necessary fire support when confronted by dozens of Resistance fighters who ambushed them.
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