The Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari commented during a broadcast interview with Israel’s Channel 13 on Wednesday, June 19. His statement appeared to show a rift between the army and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his goal to destroy Hamas. Hagari said the idea “to make Hamas vanish” is like “throwing sand in the eyes of public.”
“Hamas is an idea,” Hagari said. “Anyone who thinks we can eliminate Hamas is wrong.”
Netanyahu’s office responded to Hagari’s remarks saying, “The Israeli cabinet had set the destruction of Hamas’ military and governing” as one of the goals of the war and that “the IDF is of course committed to this.”
In a statement, the Israeli military replied that Hagari was addressing the elimination of Hamas as “an idea and ideology.” The IDF said it has acted “tirelessly” to achieve the war’s goals and will continue to do so.
Hamas, meanwhile, took Hagari’s comments as an “admission” of defeat.
In his interview, Hagari pointed to the need for Israeli leadership to come up with a plan after the war. He asserted that there is no path to weaken Hamas without an alternative.
Netanyahu’s lack of a post-war plan has been at the crux of several internal conflicts within Israel’s ranks.
On June 9, Netanyahu political rival Benny Gantz resigned from Israel’s war cabinet after issuing a deadline for the prime minister to create a post-war plan for Gaza — one Netanyahu did not meet.
In May, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant accused Netanyahu of “indecision” and leading Israel down a “dangerous course.”
Tension continues to build between Israel and its ally America. The Biden administration has denied allegations made by Netanyahu on a social media video that the U.S. is withholding military support.
The White House clarified a high-level meeting between the two countries on Iran scheduled for Thursday, June 20, was not canceled because of the video but for other reasons.
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded to questions on Netanyahu’s accusations during a press briefing on Tuesday, June 18, saying, “We genuinely do not know what he’s talking about.”
The Biden administration has acknowledged the pause of one shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel over concerns it would be used in an operation in the densely populated Gaza city of Rafah.
