Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot said Friday that Hamas has rebuilt to pre-October 7 strength, nearly three years after the massacre. He criticized PM Netanyahu for not presenting the emerging deal and stated that war goals — destroying Hamas's power — have not been achieved, calling it a 'complete failure.' The statement was reported by Israel Hayom journalist Ariel Kahana.
Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot issued a sharp new statement Friday, claiming that Hamas has rebuilt its military strength to the level of the eve of the October 7 massacre and that the war's core objectives — the destruction of Hamas's military and governmental power — have not been achieved, aside from the return of hostages. Eisenkot also criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not presenting the emerging deal to the Israeli public, questioning whether Israel is a genuine partner to the agreement.
The statement builds on remarks Eisenkot made earlier today, as The Zioneer reported at 11:35 Jerusalem, in which he said any deal must be judged solely by whether it destroys Hamas's military-governmental power. In the new remarks, he went further, stating that 'almost three years have passed since the morning of October 7 and Hamas has renewed its strength with a number of terrorists similar to the eve of the six October' — a reference to the day before the attack. He described the situation as a 'complete failure' and accused the 'blind cabinet' of being unable to escape the October 7 debacle.
Eisenkot, a former IDF chief and current chairman of the Yashar party, has been a persistent critic of the government's war conduct. He has previously called for the demilitarization of southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah, and has revealed that coalition MKs approached him to replace Netanyahu early in the war. His latest remarks align with his security-first stance, emphasizing that military achievements must translate into strategic gains.
The specific deal Eisenkot referenced remains undisclosed, and it is unclear whether the government will respond to his criticism. The statement was reported by Israel Hayom journalist Ariel Kahana.
2 developments
- DevelopingEisenkot: We haven't finished the Gaza mission, must topple Hamas regime
- DevelopingFormer IDF chief Eisenkot slams political leadership, demands answers on Iran and war goals
- StrongEisenkot warns Israel is squandering military gains, says Netanyahu hamstrung by coalition partners
- DevelopingEisenkot: Hezbollah disarmament and demilitarization of south Lebanon 'far from achievement' after deal
Source and signal
- Open-source intake