According to Ben Caspit in Maariv, in 2018 an Iranian drone infiltrated Israeli airspace and was intercepted. Then-IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot decided to launch a series of strikes against Syrian and Iranian targets in Syria. He sought Prime Minister Netanyahu's approval between 5:00 and 8:00 AM but was unable to reach him, and ultimately gave the order without the PM's response.
The report by veteran journalist Ben Caspit in Maariv provides a detailed account of a pivotal decision-making moment in 2018, when an Iranian drone infiltrated Israeli airspace and was intercepted. According to the report, then-IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot immediately ordered a series of strikes against Syrian and Iranian military targets deep inside Syria, but was unable to reach Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for approval between 5:00 and 8:00 AM. Eisenkot ultimately gave the order without the prime minister's explicit authorization.
This revelation adds to the public record of tension between Netanyahu and Eisenkot, who has since become a sharp political critic of the prime minister. The Zioneer previously reported on another Caspit story from June 2026, in which Eisenkot reportedly demanded a broad retaliation against Iran after the first Iranian attack, a request Netanyahu refused. The newly disclosed 2018 incident underscores a longstanding pattern of divergent risk assessments between the two leaders, with Eisenkot favoring more assertive preemptive action.
The report is based on a single journalistic source and has not been independently corroborated by official statements from either Eisenkot or the Prime Minister's Office.
- DevelopingEisenkot says he supported broad strike on Iran in April 2024, claims Netanyahu hesitated
- DevelopingBen Caspit: After first wave, Eisenkot demanded broad retaliation against Iran; Netanyahu refused
- StrongNetanyahu to Eisenkot: I entered Rafah, Lebanon, Syria, Iran — you wanted zero action
- DevelopingEisenkot on Oct 7 commemoration: Netanyahu must reveal cabinet protocols, expose the truth
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