Retired Brigadier General Criticizes Trump’s Hesitation on Iran, Warns of Hamas Deception

Retired Brigadier General Oren Solomon, a former senior official in the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and former head of combat operations in the Gaza Division, criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach toward Iran in a recent interview on Channel 14. Solomon warned that American hesitation could be perceived as weakness by Washington’s adversaries, including Russia and China, who are closely monitoring U.S. actions. He urged Trump to adopt a more decisive and forceful stance against Tehran, advocating for a significant military strike rather than a diplomatic deal that might be politically damaging ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.

Solomon also expressed skepticism about potential negotiations with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, doubting the terrorist group’s willingness to disarm. He accused Hamas of planning to use deception, concealment, and delay tactics in any agreement. Solomon emphasized that Israel would likely need to act independently if Hamas fails to dismantle its weapons, stating, "The conclusion is that we will have to do it ourselves."

He cautioned against strategic pitfalls in any future deal with Hamas, such as the introduction of a stabilization force in Gaza that could restrict Israeli military freedom or premature housing projects for tens of thousands of residents before actual disarmament occurs. Solomon stressed that Israel should not proceed with such steps until there is clear evidence of weapons surrender and destruction, warning that premature moves could hinder Israeli efforts and create negative dynamics.