Netanyahu Rebuked Air Force Chief Over Exposed Iran Strike Halt, Report Says

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly lashed out at IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir during a closed security cabinet meeting after Air Force commander Maj. Gen. Omer Tishler published a letter describing how a planned strike on Iran was stopped at the last minute. According to the report, Netanyahu told those present that the letter was a mistake and said, “It was a national error. He hurt Israel’s unity, and it embarrasses us in front of Trump.”

The private reprimand came as Tishler’s letter drew wide attention in Jerusalem. The Air Force commander had said he wanted to praise the pilots and clarify recent events, but his remarks also highlighted the political and operational consequences of the cancelled operation, including what the report described as a diplomatic retreat and a move driven by Donald Trump that happened over Israel’s head.

In the letter, Tishler said the Air Force was at peak readiness for a broad strike mission. He said the force was prepared to launch “hours” after the order, with shortened alert time, unusual flexibility, full armament and planning for attacks on hundreds of targets deep inside Iran. He also said the order to stop the operation reached the units only a very short time before launch, while crews were briefing in the squadrons an hour before takeoff.

Tishler further wrote that in the long campaign against Iran, Israel had seriously damaged the Iranian leadership, defensive and offensive systems, nuclear components, the economy, the command and knowledge chain, and the military and national industry, while reducing the threat and extending recovery time. The IDF declined to comment on remarks made in closed discussions, though military sources confirmed Netanyahu told Zamir the letter had been a mistake and that Tishler should have considered the repercussions.