Eisenkot Vows to Oust Hamas Within 18 Months if Elected Premier
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yachad party, vowed to remove Hamas from power in Gaza within 18 months if elected prime minister. Speaking near the Gaza border, he criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the conflict and accused him of strategic failure. Eisenkot pledged to destroy Hamas's military wing, stating that Hamas is rearming and rebuilding its capabilities. The Likud party responded by questioning Eisenkot's ability to achieve this without support from certain political partners.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Gadi Eisenkot promised to oust Hamas from Gaza within 18 months if he becomes prime minister.
- Eisenkot accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of strategic failure and allowing Hamas to remain in power.
- The Likud party questioned Eisenkot's plan, referencing his political partners Mansour Abbas and Ahmad Tibi.
- Eisenkot stated that Hamas is rearming and rebuilding its military capabilities in Gaza.
- He mentioned the loss of his son and nephews in the Gaza conflict.
- Eisenkot claimed the return of hostages was not an initial war aim but added later at his insistence.
Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yachad party, pledged on Thursday to overthrow Hamas rule in Gaza within 18 months if he becomes prime minister. Speaking near the Gaza border, Eisenkot accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of strategic failure, stating, "As long as he is in power, Hamas will remain in power." Eisenkot committed to ensuring Hamas no longer governs Gaza after his first 18 months in office, aiming to destroy Hamas's military wing either through actions based on a plan adopted by Netanyahu's government or by utilizing military and operational capabilities.
This promise echoes a similar statement made by Netanyahu in 2009 when he was opposition leader. In response to Eisenkot's pledge, the Likud party questioned how he would achieve this without the support of his "partners Mansour and Tibi," referring to Mansour Abbas of the Ra'am party and Ahmad Tibi of Hadash-Ta'al. The article notes that Ra'am was part of the Bennett-Lapid government from 2021-2022 but did not obstruct Israel's "Operation Guardian of the Walls" against Hamas.
Eisenkot also criticized Netanyahu for actions contradicting his campaign slogans, calling him someone who "surrenders" despite posters proclaiming "We will not surrender." He argued that the current government, despite broad public and international support, has suffered a "stunning strategic failure," with Hamas still in control of Gaza, rearming, and rebuilding its military capabilities three years after the October 7th attacks.
Eisenkot acknowledged the heroism of IDF soldiers in achieving battlefield successes but stated that the war's objectives remain unmet. He reflected on the loss of his son Gal and two nephews, Yogev and Maor, in the Gaza conflict, noting that missions to recover bodies of hostages and combat operations continue near where they fell. He described the war against Hamas as "exceptionally just" but pointed out that the return of hostages, initially not a stated war aim, was added later at his insistence, a year after the last living hostage was returned.
Citing intelligence reports and assessments from security officials, Eisenkot warned that Hamas is strengthening in Gaza and preparing attacks against Israel. He concluded that a policy prioritizing Hamas's continued rule in Gaza represents a "stunning failure" of the Israeli government.
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