Israel’s key mistake in Gaza...was to allow the international community to dictate the tempo and tactics of the war
Nevertheless, even experienced politicians can make poor decisions, and Bibi is facing pressure on multiple fronts that would overwhelm most people.
The Netanyahu-led cabinet’s decision to order the IDF to conquer the 25% of Gaza it doesn’t yet control — but wait, hold on — only after another two months, once Israel guarantees safe passage and three balanced meals a day for all the starving men, women, children, and terrorists in Hamas’s last stronghold of Gaza City, is baffling to everyone, whether you were hoping for a quick and decisive military victory or a swift return of the remaining hostages and the end to almost two years of warfare.
Right-wing coalition partners like Bezalel Smotrich publicly distanced themselves from Netanyahu, saying he had lost confidence in Bibi’s ability to lead Israel to victory in Gaza. Calmer voices like veteran Likudnik Tzachi Hanegbi, Bibi’s national security advisor, argued from another perspective that the IDF offensive would endanger the remaining hostages. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who recommended encircling Gaza and conducting targeted raids from those positions, argued vociferously with hawkish cabinet members.
Longstanding Bibi antagonist Avigdor Lieberman said the cabinet erred by ignoring the IDF brass’s professional advice, and opposition leader Yair Lapid warned that the plan that called for Israel to eventually cede Gaza to a neutral Arab third party (as if one exists) would trap Israel in a pointless occupation with no clear goal.
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