A member of Israel’s War Cabinet confirmed that early in the war against Hamas in Gaza, an Israeli preemptive strike against Lebanon’s Hezbollah terror group was called off at the last minute.
Gadi Eisenkot, a former army chief, said he was among those arguing against such a strike in what he described as a stormy Oct. 11 Cabinet meeting that left him hoarse from shouting.
Such a preemptive attack would have been a “strategic mistake” and would likely have triggered a regional war, Eisenkot said in a wide-ranging interview broadcast late Thursday on Israel’s Channel 12 TV.
The interview marked the first time Eisenkot spoke in public about disagreements among Israeli leaders over the handling of the war, which was triggered by Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
A month ago, The Wall Street Journal, reporting on the dramatic events of Oct. 11, said intervention by President Joe Biden was key to averting the strike. Israeli warplanes were in the air, awaiting orders, when Biden called Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and told him to stand down, the report said, citing people familiar with the call.
Eisenkot said loud objections raised by him and others during the Cabinet session were key to calling off the strike. At the time, he and former Defense Minister Benny Gantz, both opposition lawmakers, had just joined Netanyahu to help lead the war. Asked if their presence prevented a bad decision, he said: “Unequivocally.”
During the Oct. 11 meeting, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and senior army officials were reportedly pressing for a strike against Hezbollah, considered by Israel to be a much more formidable foe than Hamas. Hezbollah is believed to have tens of thousands of missiles that can reach any target in Israel.
During the interview, Eisenkot also criticized Netanyahu’s approach to the ongoing war in Gaza, saying that the notion of achieving complete victory over Hamas is unrealistic.
(AP & YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
3 Responses
Eisenkot has no problem going back to the failed status quo of pre-October 7 which led to the massacre, and slinking out of Gaza with Israel’s tail between its legs. He’s fine with leaving Hamas in power, and begging them to return the hostages.
If there is one lesson to learn from 10/7, it is that you cannot allow a murderous terrorist organization on your borders. That goes for Hezbollah as well.
Great. So how many Israelis have to die before the IDF eventually move in to eliminate hezbolla?
This guy is a complete opportunist. Who doesn’t remember how he tried to destroy Elor Azaria! Bibi let him into the War Cabinet in a gesture of unity.and he turned on him. Under the cover of war they do the slimiest thing like the Supreme Court of the State of Israel. He should have retired after his military stint.Instead it looks like he will be around stir the pot. I will rip my garments in kriyah if this menuval ever reaches a high office in the government.