Netanyahu Rebukes Air Force Chief’s Letter as “a National Mistake”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly berated IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir during a small cabinet meeting on Tuesday after a public letter by Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Omar Tishler drew attention in Jerusalem. According to a Channel 12 report, Netanyahu objected to Tishler revealing the sequence of events after the strike in the Dahieh district and disclosing that the planned air operation against Iran was halted while crews were already briefing in their squadrons.

Netanyahu said, “His letter was a mistake,” and added, “This is a national mistake. He harmed Israel’s unity, and it is embarrassing us in front of Trump.” The report said the prime minister delivered the criticism in front of everyone present in the room. Military sources confirmed that Netanyahu told Zamir the letter had been a mistake in light of the public reaction it triggered, and that Tishler should have considered that beforehand.

Tishler, however, said he had intended to praise the pilots and clarify recent developments. In his letter, he described the Air Force as ready for a broad strike mission, saying it had been prepared “hours after the order to take off,” with shortened alert time, unusual flexibility, armament of the entire force, planning, preparations, and readiness to launch strikes on hundreds of targets deep inside Iran.

He said the attack was stopped “while we were briefing in the squadrons, one hour before takeoff.” Tishler also wrote that in the long campaign against Iran, Israel had severely damaged the Iranian leadership, air defenses, offensive systems, nuclear components, the economy, command and knowledge chains, and military and national industries, while significantly reducing the threat and preserving the ability to act in Iran again if needed. The IDF declined to comment on discussions held behind closed doors.