Netanyahu Clashed With Security Chiefs Over Informing US of Nasrallah Strike

A new book, "In the War Room," reveals significant disagreements within Israel's top leadership regarding critical operations, particularly the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. According to reports based on interviews with co-author Elliot Kaufman, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposed informing the Biden administration about the planned strike in September 2024, fearing they would thwart the operation. This stance contrasted with that of then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and then-Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, who believed informing the U.S. was necessary, partly because Nasrallah was linked to the deaths of American soldiers.

Kaufman reported that Netanyahu expressed strong doubts about U.S. approval, stating "140%, they will not approve the operation," and warned that National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan would be shocked if he knew. When the Israeli Air Force carried out the strike on September 27, 2024, the Pentagon stated it had not received prior notification, and Gallant only spoke with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during the operation. The strike successfully eliminated Nasrallah, who had led Hezbollah for over three decades, marking a historical turning point.

The book also highlights a broader rift between Israel and the Biden administration on war management. Kaufman explained that Israel waited nearly a year for U.S. diplomacy to halt Hezbollah's attacks on northern Israel, without success. He noted a fundamental difference in objectives: "America's goal is to bring about a de-escalation of the war. Our goal is to win the war."

Further details from the book touch upon the initial stages of the Gaza ground offensive following the October 7, 2023, attacks. Netanyahu was initially hesitant about a large-scale ground operation, citing the failures of the IDF and intelligence services on October 7. American generals also warned of potential military defeat. Netanyahu eventually approved the maneuver on October 27, 2023, and Kaufman observed that Netanyahu regained confidence in the IDF over time, outlasting his opponents in the war room.

Kaufman also discussed the strike on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025, during what he termed the "12-day war." He described how initial Israeli Air Force successes, demonstrating a direct path to the fortified Fordow facility, convinced then-President Donald Trump to approve a U.S. strike. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reportedly presented the operational opportunity directly to then-U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, emphasizing that while Israeli aircraft were in the area, the U.S. possessed the necessary bunker-buster bombs. Vance played a crucial role in securing Trump's participation in the "Midnight Hammer" operation, which Kaufman suggests was a strategic choice by Trump based on Israel's demonstrated operational advantage.