Eisenkot Claims He Authorized Syria Strike Without Netanyahu's Approval

Former IDF Chief of Staff and current Yishai party leader Gadi Eisenkot revealed that in February 2018, he made the decision to launch a large-scale strike against Syria without direct approval from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Eisenkot stated at a conference on September 2 that during a critical moment on February 10, 2018, he was unable to reach Netanyahu for several hours. The incident occurred after Syrian air defenses shot down an Israeli F-16 fighter jet. Eisenkot explained that after an Iranian drone launched from Syria entered Israeli airspace and was intercepted, the IDF struck a mobile drone control station. In response, Syrian forces fired anti-aircraft missiles, with one hitting the F-16. The pilot and navigator ejected and landed safely in Israel, though the pilot was seriously injured. Eisenkot, along with the head of military intelligence and the air force commander, decided on a significant retaliatory strike targeting Syrian air defense batteries and Iranian sites. However, he could not contact Netanyahu for two hours. Eisenkot recounted that the Prime Minister's military secretary advised him to "do what you think is right." Eisenkot proceeded with the strike, which involved attacking 12 targets in Syria, including air defense batteries and Iranian military sites, marking the largest IDF strike on Syrian air defenses since 1982. Netanyahu later arrived at the air force headquarters and supported Eisenkot's actions, halting further strikes.

Eisenkot also criticized Netanyahu's handling of the October 7th Hamas attack, accusing the Prime Minister's circle of promoting conspiracy theories to deflect blame. He asserted that Netanyahu's administration received intelligence about Hamas's unusual activity as early as 3:30 AM on October 7th, stating that the Prime Minister "can only blame himself" for not being adequately informed. Eisenkot dismissed Netanyahu's recent warning that his election would be "the beginning of the end of the State of Israel" as "hysterical and irresponsible," emphasizing Israel's strength and calling for national unity.

Regarding potential political alliances, Eisenkot stated he is exploring various options to form a "state-national coalition" and a viable government capable of leading the country based on national consensus.