Avigdor Lieberman Criticizes Government for Blocking IDF Response to Hamas Training Near Gaza Border

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Israel Beiteinu party, condemned the Israeli government for preventing the IDF from acting against a recent Hamas training exercise near the Gaza border. On August 10, IDF forces identified about 50 Hamas militants from the Nukhba unit rehearsing an attack to seize a Jewish settlement. Despite requests from commanders on the ground to launch a targeted strike to neutralize the threat, political directives forbade any military response, including firing warning shots.

Lieberman described this as "surrender to terror" and a return to the containment policies that preceded the October 7 attacks. He made these remarks following a visit to the Gaza border area, where he met with local commanders. He also claimed that the IDF has effectively completed its withdrawal to the outpost line, leaving no soldiers between the outpost line and the yellow concrete barriers.

The incident was first reported by Channel 12 News, which revealed that the IDF raised alert levels and deployed forces to the fence but refrained from attacking due to the absence of explicit authorization. A field officer told Channel 12 that troops felt "handcuffed" and frustrated by the inability to respond to what they perceived as a clear threat, fearing it could lead to another massacre. The episode highlights tensions between military assessments on the ground and political decisions limiting operational freedom in the Gaza border area.