Commentator Mocks Former IDF General's Book on October 7th Failures

Yotam Zmiri, a commentator on Channel 14, has offered a scathing critique of retired Major General Giora Eiland's new book, "How the Hell Could This Have Happened to Us?" Eiland, a former head of the National Security Council and a key figure in the 2005 disengagement from Gaza, questions in his book how the October 7th Hamas attacks could have occurred. Zmiri argues that the answer is far simpler than Eiland's 300-page exploration suggests and is, in fact, evident from Eiland's own past actions and statements.

Zmiri highlights Eiland's significant role in formulating Israel's security concepts, including his involvement in planning the Gaza disengagement. He then points to Eiland's subsequent public statements, such as his 2007 call for negotiations with Hamas, proposals to ease the blockade on Gaza, and his positive assessment of the 2022 maritime border deal with Hezbollah, which he described as "excellent." Zmiri suggests these past positions demonstrate a pattern of flawed strategic thinking that contributed to the current security situation.

Furthermore, Zmiri criticizes Eiland's proposal for a plan that would prevent supplies from reaching northern Gaza, arguing it echoes his earlier stance on easing blockades. He also mocks Eiland's call for the release of all hostages within ten days through a prisoner exchange, referencing the controversial 2011 Gilad Shalit deal. Zmiri concludes that Eiland's framing of the October 7th events as something that "happened to us" ignores his own agency and responsibility, suggesting that the failures were not accidental but rather the result of decisions made, equating this to the loss of 1200 lives.

In a sarcastic tone, Zmiri offers a list of mock book titles in the style of Eiland's work, satirizing various Israeli public figures and their perceived misjudgments or ideological shifts.