Ex-IDF Chief Eisenkot Claims Netanyahu Feared Expanding Hezbollah Operation
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot revealed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly feared expanding a past operation against Hezbollah. Eisenkot claimed Netanyahu refused to implement a larger plan, "Beepers times 50," despite his urging. Eisenkot also accused Netanyahu of lying about Eisenkot's past positions on nuclear Iran and the Gaza occupation, calling the claims "a lie and falsehood."
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former IDF Chief Gadi Eisenkot claims PM Netanyahu feared expanding a past Hezbollah operation.
- Eisenkot stated Netanyahu refused to implement a larger plan, "Beepers times 50."
- Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of lying about his past stances on nuclear Iran.
- Eisenkot also denied Netanyahu's claim that he opposed the occupation of Gaza.
- The comments were made during an interview on 103fm radio.
Former IDF Chief of Staff and current "Yash!" party chairman Gadi Eisenkot revealed new details regarding a plan to expand the "Beepers Operation" against Hezbollah, suggesting it could have been implemented earlier and inflicted greater damage on the organization. Speaking on 103fm radio, Eisenkot stated that ten years prior, in collaboration with the Mossad, he developed a significantly larger plan, "Beepers times 50." He claimed that about a month and a half after the initial operation concluded, he urged the Prime Minister to proceed with the plan, codenamed "Closing Ball," but the Prime Minister "was afraid to do it, he didn't want to do it."
Eisenkot also addressed a recording played by interviewer Ben Kaspit, which he claimed was presented out of context. In the recording, Eisenkot had mentioned requesting a move north in February, alongside an assertion that there was no interest in a full-scale war at the time. Eisenkot vehemently denied this interpretation, calling it "a lie and falsehood," and accused the interviewers of selectively editing his words. He reiterated that the plan was intended to have a strategic impact on the Middle East and that the Prime Minister's hesitation stemmed from fear.
Eisenkot further criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent television appearances, expressing dismay at what he described as a "string of lies." He specifically refuted two claims attributed to him by Netanyahu. First, Eisenkot denied saying Israel should accept a nuclear Iran, stating that this was a journalist's interpretation. Second, he strongly contested Netanyahu's assertion that Eisenkot opposed the occupation of Gaza, emphasizing that Netanyahu knew how much he had pushed for it. Eisenkot recalled a conversation where he urged Netanyahu to maneuver, and mentioned that Ron Dermer had stated even Eisenkot supported the idea, despite his son being in a maneuver unit.
