Retired General Nitzan Alon Says Gaza War Could Have Ended a Year Earlier

Retired Major General Nitzan Alon, former head of the Prisoners and Missing Persons Command, stated at the Herzliya Conference at Reichman University that the Gaza war could have concluded at least a year earlier. He attributed the prolonged conflict to unresolved issues and gaps remaining in Gaza. Alon highlighted the tragic fate of approximately 40 hostages who were killed in captivity, emphasizing that different decisions or negotiations might have saved their lives. He criticized Minister Bezalel Smotrich for opposing some agreements and said Smotrich should not claim credit for the return of all hostages.

Alon also addressed the Israeli government's refusal to accept earlier comprehensive prisoner exchange deals, which he said was driven by a false pursuit of total victory. Instead, partial agreements were chosen to allow continued fighting. Regarding settler violence in the West Bank, Alon condemned the involvement of marginal extremist youth in government roles and the use of militias and terror tactics, warning that this creates a dangerous security reality. He stressed that while the Israeli government can set and implement policy, it must avoid proxy violence and warned that the current situation risks leading Israel toward an apartheid-like state.