A war cabinet meeting, held last night, intended to discuss post-war administration in Gaza escalated into a quarrel between ministers and the IOF chief. A report by The Times of Israel revealed that the dispute between the officials started over discussions for the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) to launch an investigative probe into their shortcomings concerning the October 7 operation.

Right-wing politicians, including Likud party officials, criticized IOF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi over the timing and the fact that he decided to include an ex-security minister in the probe.

Halevi aimed to conduct the investigative probe urgently while the war burgeoned in Gaza and to involve former security minister Shaul Mofaz who is associated with the 2005 withdrawal from Gaza, according to the report. The hardliners, apparently, interpreted the point of departure of the investigation as being indicative of a defeatist track.

Read more: Disputes in the War Cabinet; Netanyahu vs. Gallant, Gantz 

The disagreement brought to light longstanding tensions between the Israeli military establishment and Netanyahu's coalition over Israeli policies toward Gaza and Palestinians, The Times of Israel reported. 

Halevi defended the probe as operational, aimed at learning from mistakes for future confrontations, particularly with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Incumbent Security Minister Yoav Gallant supported Halevi's decision, leading to digressions disagreeing about the IOF's autonomy in ordering investigations.

The discord escalated into a row of shouting, prompting Netanyahu to cut the meeting short after it had lasted for three hours. The meeting concluded without a government statement, leaving tensions between ministers unresolved. Critics argued that the War Cabinet needs reevaluation, questioning its ability to make informed decisions on defense policies.

Lapid calls for the dissolution of the War Cabinet

In a post on X this morning, opposition leader Yair Lapid commented on the quarrel that ended the meeting, calling for the cabinet's dissolution. 

“The leaks from cabinet last night are a disgrace and further proof that this cabinet is dangerous,” Lapid said in the post. 

ההדלפות מהקבינט אמש הן חרפה ועוד הוכחה שהקבינט הזה מסוכן. מדינת ישראל חייבת להחליף את הממשלה והעומד בראשה. האנשים האלה אינם ראויים להקרבה ולגבורה של לוחמי ולוחמות צה״ל, ולא יוכלו להוביל הכרעה אסטרטגית. הם צריכים ללכת. עכשיו.

— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) January 5, 2024

“The State of Israel must replace the government and its leader. These people are not worthy of the sacrifice and heroism of IDF men and women, and will not be able to steer a strategic decision. They have to go now.” 

War of words in the Israeli bureaucracy

As "Israel" grapples with significant casualties among its soldiers in Gaza, the existing deep-seated divisions among its top officials are widening further. A war of words has erupted within the Israeli cabinet, reflecting internal discord and incompatible perspectives on the strategies and decisions made during its ongoing aggression on Gaza.

The intensifying tensions among the leadership have introduced an additional layer of complexity to an already worsening situation. This has raised concerns about the unity and cohesion of the Israeli government, particularly in the face of global condemnation due to the IOF's atrocities in Gaza.

Back in December, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Economy Minister Nir Barkat for expressing dissatisfaction that insufficient measures were being taken to safeguard the lives of IOF soldiers in the ongoing confrontations with Resistance fighters in the Gaza Strip.

Barkat's public accusations, voiced in both public statements and during the weekly cabinet meeting, faced criticism from various ministers. War  Cabinet member Benny Gantz joined in, urging ministers to refrain from making “baseless declarations".

Israeli occupation's President Isaac Herzog, in his address, expressed concern about the resurgence of old political disputes, eroding the "unity" established in the aftermath of the October 7. He lamented that these internal divisions are providing support and encouragement to Hamas.
 
Barkat told ministers, as quoted by several Israeli media outlets, “The number of air force bombardments has fallen dramatically. Soldiers are being sent to booby-trapped buildings like [sitting] ducks.”

Read more: Netanyahu cancels 'day after war' cabinet meeting due to pressure