Netanyahu Rebuked Military Chief Over Public Air Force Letter on Canceled Iran Strike

In a closed security cabinet discussion, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticized IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir over a public letter released by Air Force commander Maj. Gen. Omar Tishler. Netanyahu said the letter, which disclosed that a planned strike on Iran was stopped at the last minute, was a mistake that damaged Israel’s unity and, in his words, was "embarrassing us in front of Trump."

According to the report, Netanyahu delivered the rebuke in front of everyone present in the room. He said, "His letter was a mistake. This is a national error. He hurt Israel’s unity, and it embarrasses us in front of Trump." The Israeli military declined to comment on remarks made in closed-door meetings, but military sources confirmed that Netanyahu did tell Zamir the letter was a mistake and that Tishler should have thought carefully about the backlash.

Tishler said in the letter that the Air Force had been fully prepared for a broad strike mission. He described hours of intensive readiness, shortened alert time, extensive arming of the force, and preparation to hit hundreds of targets deep inside Iran. He said the strike was halted only about an hour before takeoff, while crews were still briefing in the squadrons.

The commander said the letter was meant to praise the pilots and clarify recent developments, but it also highlighted the political retreat and the move led by Donald Trump that bypassed Israel. He added that in the long campaign against Iran, Israel had severely damaged Iranian leadership, air defenses, offensive systems, nuclear components, the economy, command structure, technical knowledge, and military industry, while also prolonging Iran’s recovery and preserving Israel’s ability to strike again if needed.