Jerusalem: The Israeli military’s chief spokesman on Wednesday appeared to query the acknowledged aim of destroying the Hamas militant group in Gaza in a uncommon public rift between the nation’s political and army management.
PM Netanyahu has insisted Israel will pursue the battle in opposition to Hamas till its army and governing capabilities within the Palestinian territory are eradicated.However with the battle now in its ninth month, frustration has been mounting with no clear finish or postwar plan in sight. “This enterprise of destroying Hamas, making Hamas disappear – it is merely throwing sand within the eyes of the general public,” Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the army spokesperson, advised Israel’s Channel 13 TV. “Hamas is an thought, Hamas is a celebration. It is rooted within the hearts of the folks – whoever thinks we will remove Hamas is mistaken.”
Netanyahu’s workplace responded by saying that the nation’s safety cupboard, chaired by the PM, “has outlined the destruction of Hamas’ army and governing capabilities as one of many targets of the battle. The Israeli army, after all, is dedicated to this.” The army shortly issued a clarification, saying it was “dedicated to attaining the targets of the battle as outlined by the cupboard” and that it has been engaged on this “all through the battle, day and night time, and can proceed to take action.” Hagari’s feedback, it stated, “referred to the destruction of Hamas as an ideology and an thought”.
There have already been open indicators of discontent over the dealing with of the battle. Benny Gantz, an ex-military chief, withdrew from battle cupboard this month. Early this week, Netanyahu expressed displeasure with the military’s resolution to declare a “tactical pause” in Rafah for humanitarian assist.
