Netanyahu accuses Yoav Gallant

Benyamin Netanyahu accuses his Defense Minister of giving an “anti-Israeli speech.”

According to media reports, Yoav Gallant accused the Israeli Prime Minister of “delaying” a truce agreement in the Palestinian enclave. Benyamin Netanyahu vehemently responded on Monday, August 12, to his Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant.

“When [Yoav] Gallant adopts the anti-Israel discourse, he reduces the chances of reaching an agreement for the release of the hostages,” said the Israeli Prime Minister in a statement from his office. “Israel has only one choice: total victory, which means the elimination of Hamas’ military and governance capabilities and the release of the hostages (…). Everyone is obliged to follow this, including Mr. Gallant,” he added.

Hamas mocks this clash

After this clarification, Yoav Gallant wrote on X that he is “determined to achieve the war objectives and to continue the fight,” while denouncing “the incessant leaks,” particularly of his statements in a supposedly confidential setting. The Defense Minister had declared that “the reason why the agreement” for a truce in Gaza “is delayed is, among other things, Israel.” “There is an option for an agreement that would lead to a settlement in the north and south” of Israel, with Lebanese Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas, “and a second option is the escalation that will lead to war,” he had detailed.

Hamas immediately commented on the dispute. One of its leaders, Ezzat al-Richq, stated in a communiqué that “Gallant’s admission (…) confirms what we have always said.” “[Benyamin] Netanyahu lies to the world and to the families of the hostages, he mocks the lives of the hostages and does not want to reach an agreement; all he cares about is that the war continues and expands,” he accused.