Eisenkot, Prominent Israeli Military Figure, Questions Netanyahu's Gaza Strategy

A member of Israel's war cabinet, Gadi Eisenkot, has criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not being truthful about the country's military goals in Gaza. Eisenkot, a retired general whose son was killed in the conflict, disagrees with those who advocate for the "absolute defeat" of Hamas, stating that they are not being honest. He also believes that Netanyahu shares responsibility for failing to protect the country and has called for fresh elections due to a lack of trust in the current leadership. Tensions are rising within the cabinet, with reports of strained relations between Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. This comes as the divide between Israel and its Western allies continues to widen. The US has repeatedly attempted to influence Israel's military strategy, advocating for more targeted attacks and engaging in meaningful talks about a two-state solution. However, these calls have been rejected by Netanyahu, further frustrating some American circles who expected President Biden's support for Israel to be conditional. While Israel's allies hope for a revival of the two-state plan, Netanyahu's recent comments suggest he wants the opposite, aligning himself with a potential future administration under Donald Trump. Within Israel, Netanyahu's popularity is diminishing, with only 15% of Israelis wanting him to remain in power after the war. Most Israelis support military action against Hamas but prioritize the safe return of remaining hostages over the destruction of Hamas. Netanyahu's latest comments also reject Arab attempts to mediate in the conflict, indicating his firm anti-Palestinian stance. It appears that he is relying on this position for his political survival. He can no longer present himself as "Mr. Security" following the worst attacks in Israel's history occurring under his leadership. With the traumatized public still unable to envision a Palestinian state next door, Netanyahu's new position as "Mr. No Independent Palestine" is intended to resonate with the prevailing sentiment.