Ex-Defense Official Criticizes War Strategy, Calls for Strategic Shift

Dror Shalom, who recently concluded his tenure as head of the Political-Military Bureau at the Ministry of Defense, has broken his silence to offer a scathing critique of Israel's conduct of the ongoing war. In a rare interview, Shalom described the war as a "resounding failure" strategically, arguing that military achievements have not been translated into political gains, leading to continued loss of life, resources, and legitimacy. He believes that a lack of decisive action and a fear of establishing a state inquiry committee have prolonged the conflict and hindered the return of hostages.

Shalom, a former brigadier general who served in military intelligence, asserted that Israel "learned nothing" from the war, leaving adversaries deterred but not defeated. He pointed to Hamas remaining sovereign in its areas and Hezbollah still possessing significant military and political power despite being heavily impacted. Regarding Iran, he noted the entanglement of the conflict despite significant strikes, with its nuclear program still unresolved and regional tensions escalating.

He specifically criticized the handling of the hostage situation, suggesting that dozens more hostages could have been returned alive and earlier if not for delays and rejections of potential deals, possibly for political reasons. Shalom also expressed disappointment with the political leadership's initial shock and subsequent focus on political maneuvering rather than war strategy, citing instances of ministers being preoccupied with internal politics even as the military suffered casualties.

Shalom challenged the notion that Israeli intelligence failed to understand Hamas's intentions, stating that the organization's goals were clear. However, he suggested a gap in understanding Hamas's shift in direction after the 2021 "Guardian of the Walls" events, which Hamas perceived as a major success, leading Yahya Sinwar to believe he could link actions in Jerusalem and with Israeli Arabs to military buildup. He also criticized the government's strategy of allowing Qatari funds to flow to Hamas, warning of the risk of the money reaching the military wing.

Looking forward, Shalom proposed a comprehensive strategy for Israel, including advancing the Trump plan for Gaza and establishing an alternative to Hamas rule, restoring governance in the West Bank, and strengthening ties with the Palestinian Authority under strict conditions. He also advocated for a phased disarmament of Hezbollah with Arab and Gulf support, deepening regional alliances, and collaborating with the US on artificial intelligence and space exploration to maintain Israel's relative advantage.