Likud MK Amichai Halevi Accuses IDF Chief of Opposing Military Victory in Gaza

Likud MK Amichai Halevi sharply criticized IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the Israeli military in a Ynet interview, accusing them of opposing decisive military control and victory in the Gaza Strip. Halevi claimed that Zamir, like former Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and other generals, resists efforts to achieve full control and defeat Hamas. He questioned why the IDF has yet to present a clear victory plan to the security cabinet, blaming the military for the failures on October 7 when Hamas launched a surprise attack that caught the army unprepared and paralyzed for hours.

Halevi expressed skepticism about the reported peace plan involving Hamas disarmament, calling it unrealistic and accusing the Israeli government of accepting false claims. He emphasized that Hamas remains a significant threat and that Israel has only gained partial control of the area, not a complete victory. Halevi stressed that true victory requires defeating Hamas and achieving control over the territory, which the military has not yet accomplished.

Regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's role, Halevi said Netanyahu manages Israel's interests, not Washington's, and that Israel must prepare for future conflicts, especially with Iran. He criticized the military leadership for prioritizing political considerations over professional military planning, demanding that the IDF present a concrete plan for decisive victory in Gaza and Lebanon. Halevi also highlighted ongoing internal disagreements within Israel's security and legal systems that hinder effective action against Hamas.

In summary, Halevi placed full responsibility for the lack of military success on the IDF and its leadership, dismissing political leadership's accountability for the October 7 failures or the absence of a clear victory strategy. He called for a more aggressive approach to finally defeat Hamas and secure Israel's interests in the region.