Retired Israeli General Warns of Existential Crisis Amid Ongoing Conflict
Retired Israeli Major General Yitzhak Brik has issued a stark warning that Israel is approaching a critical juncture. In an article for Haaretz, Brik criticized Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, stating that many of Gallant’s claims during the war have proven to be unfounded.
Brik provided examples, such as Gallant’s assertions that Israel had gained full control over Gaza City and its tunnels after the land invasion and that Hamas would soon surrender. Gallant also claimed that following the invasion of Khan Younis, Hamas leader Yahya al-Sinwar had lost control and would be captured shortly.
Brik emphasized that Gallant’s statements misled the Israeli public. Recently, Gallant admitted to the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that achieving ‘complete victory’ in Gaza was unrealistic. He also acknowledged the potential for a regional war if a prisoner swap agreement with Hamas is not reached.
Brik warned that Israel’s situation is dire: “If the war of attrition against Hamas and Hezbollah continues, Israel will collapse within a year.” He pointed to increasing attacks in the West Bank and within Israel, a collapsing economy, and growing internal divisions as critical issues.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Yahya al-Sinwar are aware of Israel’s vulnerabilities, Brik noted, highlighting the difficulties in the prisoner swap negotiations. He criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s conditions, which have hindered progress, and warned that Israel’s assassination policy could ignite broader conflict in the Middle East.
Brik concluded by stating that Netanyahu’s administration must change, as Netanyahu has lost touch with humanitarian and moral values, endangering Israel’s security. He warned that Israel is in a state of existential defeat, with the potential to reach a point of no return. The conflict has resulted in over 40,000 deaths in Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
