Eisenkot Vows to Dismantle Hamas Rule Within 18 Months

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity Party, pledged on the Gaza border to "dismantle Hamas rule within 18 months," echoing a 2009 promise by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Likud party responded by questioning how Eisenkot would achieve this without the support of his coalition partners. Eisenkot's party retorted that Netanyahu and the Likud had misled the public for 17 years, strengthening Hamas and potentially contributing to the October 7th attacks.

Eisenkot stated that if he were prime minister, Hamas would no longer control Gaza within 18 months, either through a plan based on a framework proposed by former US President Donald Trump or through military operations. He criticized Netanyahu, asserting that as long as Netanyahu remains in power, Hamas will persist. Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of surrendering to draft evaders, coalition partners, and Hamas, despite having broad public and international legitimacy, leading to a "resounding strategic failure" with Hamas still governing Gaza, rearming, and rebuilding its military capabilities three years after October 7th.

Eisenkot, whose son and nephews were killed in the war, noted that despite three years of conflict and significant military achievements, the war's objectives have not been met. He highlighted the ongoing threats and the heavy price paid by soldiers and civilians, including the 251 hostages taken from the Gaza border area. He mentioned that the mission to return fallen hostages was resumed in Jabalia, where his son fell, and that his nephews also perished there alongside nearly a thousand other IDF casualties in Gaza and Lebanon.

He emphasized that the war's initial stated goal was to destroy Hamas and Islamic Jihad, with hostage recovery added later at his insistence. Eisenkot reiterated that Hamas remains in control of Gaza, rearming and militarily active, and attempting terror attacks. He called returning to a policy of favoring Hamas in Gaza a "resounding failure" of the Israeli government.

Eisenkot outlined a plan to develop a clear strategy with security officials to dismantle Hamas rule, vowing that a government led by him would act within 150 days according to national security strategy laws. He stressed the need for professionalism, acknowledging lessons learned from October 7th, and called for a state inquiry commission to clarify the truth. He concluded by publicly committing to ensuring Hamas's defeat, stating that Hamas in power represents an Israeli loss and that military achievements must be translated into clear strategic gains for true security. He promised leadership focused on action, truth, and hope.

In response, the "Am Israel" party, led by Ofer Vinter, stated that Gadi Eisenkot was the chief of staff behind the "containment" policy that pushed for accommodation with Hamas and advocated against entering Rafah. They blamed the military leadership appointed by Eisenkot, including Yair Golan, Aharon Haliva, and Herzi Halevi, for promoting disastrous concepts that led to October 7th, and asserted that no decisive victory could be achieved under a government led by Eisenkot and Golan.