Likud Denounces Liberman for Alleged False Claims on IDF Gaza Operations and Security

Likud launched a sharp rebuttal against Avigdor Liberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, following his recent accusations regarding Israel's military and political handling of the Gaza Strip. Liberman claimed that the IDF has effectively withdrawn from the "yellow line" buffer zone, that the political echelon prevented the thwarting of dozens of Hamas-affiliated Nukhba terrorists, and that Prime Minister Netanyahu approved agreements involving the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars according to Hamas lists. Likud categorically denied these allegations, accusing Liberman of knowingly spreading falsehoods that harm Israel's security and exposing his ignorance of military and operational matters.

Liberman's claims included that around 50 Nukhba terrorists rehearsed an attack on an Israeli settlement, which IDF commanders wanted to prevent but were ordered by political leadership not to act. He also alleged that the IDF had retreated from the area between the outposts line and the yellow line, and that American involvement restricts Israel's operational independence. Likud rejected these points, stating that there has been no change in IDF deployment or rules of engagement, and cited recent IDF actions to counter immediate threats as proof.

Regarding financial arrangements, Liberman asserted that Netanyahu approved a deal between the UN's Nikolay Mladenov and Hamas to transfer $400 million to suppliers based on Hamas lists, with 40% allegedly returned in cash to Hamas's military wing. Likud dismissed this as false, noting that Mladenov himself denied such an agreement.

On the issue of US military presence in southern Israel, Liberman suggested that increased American involvement limits Israel's decision-making autonomy. Likud countered that the visit of the US Central Command chief to the American base near Kerem Shalom exemplifies deep strategic cooperation rather than constraints on Israeli sovereignty.

The dispute follows reports of heightened militant activity in Gaza and debates over the scope of Israeli military responses to imminent threats. While Liberman accuses the government of a policy of restraint akin to pre-October 7, Likud maintains that the IDF retains full authority to neutralize immediate dangers and that no operational pullback has occurred until Hamas is disarmed throughout Gaza.