Netanyahu hits back at Gantz, Eisenkot after harsh criticism

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
4 Sep 2024 00:35
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Gadi Eisenkot says the Israeli regime failed to achieve any of its war goals to this point, as pressure on Netanyahu reached a high during the war on Gaza.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands before a map of the Gaza Strip while addressing Israeli settlers in an attempt to shift the blame for the death of the six captives elsewhere, on September 2, 2024. (AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu retaliated against the leaders of the State Camp movement, Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot.

The two Israeli opposition members criticized Netanyahu's policies and tactics after six Israeli captives in the southern Gaza Strip were announced dead on Sunday. Gantz and Eisenkot helped Netanyahu form the war cabinet in the early stages of the war on Gaza, awarding it overwhelming support before they both resigned in June this year.

After both officials and former Israeli occupation forces chiefs of staff spoke critically of Netanyahu, the prime minister's office released a statement saying that the two should stay out of the government's business.

In the statement, the office listed various "achievements" of the Israeli government since the State Camp withdrew in June, including high-profile assassination, a flaky "preemptive" strike against Hezbollah, and an aggression on Yemen.

Eisenkot: 'Israel' is yet to achieve any of its war goals

Meanwhile, Eisenkot said that Netanyahu is "delegitimizing" Security Minister Yoav Gallant and other security officials who called for overturning the decision to maintain the occupation of the Philadelphi Corridor.

"Israel is at its lowest point since its founding," Eisenkot underlined, pointing out that the regime has yet to achieve any of its war goals.

Eisenkot also pointed to the fact that Netanyahu backtracked from a prisoner exchange deal, which the occupation itself proposed on May 27. He said that Netanyahu made sure that every minister supported the deal "but quickly went back on it for political reasons."

Netanyahu cannot face the real threat; Iran

On the other hand, Gantz aimed to dissect Netanyahu's claims, which he made during a media address on Monday night.

Netanyahu argued last night that "Israel" would be unable to retake the area if troops were pulled out, but Gantz said it’s possible.

While acknowledging Netanyahu's claims that controlling the corridor is important to thwart arms smuggling into the Strip, Gantz argued that leaving troops there would leave them vulnerable to attacks and wouldn’t stop tunnel building.

Moreover, "Israel’s" security establishment has accepted a plan for an underground system to stop smuggling tunnels, Gantz said, accusing Netanyahu of knowingly refusing to advance the plan or meet Egypt’s president on the matter.

Both Gantz and Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of failing to face Iran, the real existential threat to "Israel".

Gantz said Netanyahu "is no longer capable of confronting the real existential threat" and repeated his call for new elections.