Israeli defence chief challenges Netanyahu over post-war Gaza plans

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was publicly challenged about post-war plans for the Gaza Strip on Wednesday by his own defense chief, who vowed to oppose any long-term military rule by Israel over the ravaged Palestinian enclave.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s televised statement marked significant dissent within Israel’s top echelon against Netanyahu. This dissent occurred during a multi-front conflict, leading to political fissures domestically and internationally.

Netanyahu hinted, in a riposte which did not explicitly name Gallant, that the retired admiral was making “excuses” for not yet having destroyed Hamas in a conflict now in its eight month.

But the veteran conservative premier soon appeared to be outflanked within his own war cabinet: Centrist ex-general Benny Gantz, the only voting member of the forum other than Netanyahu and Gallant, said the defense minister had “spoke(n) the truth.”

While reiterating the Netanyahu government’s goals of defeating Hamas and recovering remaining hostages from the Oct. 7 cross-border rampage by the faction, Gallant said these must be complemented by laying the groundwork for alternative Palestinian rule.

Amidst the aftermath of the conflict, Israeli Gaza Plans face scrutiny from various quarters. The defense chief’s public challenge signals a divergence of opinions within the Israeli government. Furthermore, it reflects the complexities of devising effective strategies for Gaza’s reconstruction and long-term stability.
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