Gadi Eizenkot’s feedback come amid disagreement within the conflict cupboard about deal with the conflict in Gaza.
A deal will probably be wanted to make sure captives nonetheless held within the Gaza Strip are launched alive, Israeli conflict cupboard minister and former army chief Gadi Eizenkot says, including {that a} lightning raid could be extraordinarily unlikely to succeed.
Eizenkot, whose youngest son was killed in combating in Gaza final month, mentioned the destiny of the captives ought to take precedence over different conflict goals, even when meaning Israel lacking out on a possibility to take out the political header of Hamas.
Requested if the captives could possibly be launched in a rescue mission much like the 1976 operation during which Israeli commandos freed about 100 hostages in Entebbe, Uganda, he mentioned it was unlikely to occur.
“The hostages are scattered in such a means – even underground – that the chance [of such an operation] is extraordinarily low,” Eizenkot instructed Israel’s Channel 12 programme Uvda late on Thursday.
“We’re nonetheless making efforts and in search of each alternative, however the chances are low and to say that that is the way it will occur is to sow an phantasm.”
Israel estimated that about 130 captives stay in Gaza and 27 have died in captivity. Greater than 100 captives seized throughout Hamas’s cross-border assault into southern Israel on October 7 have been freed throughout a week-long November truce.
“I feel it’s essential to say boldly that it’s unattainable to convey the hostages again alive within the close to future with no deal,” Eizenkot mentioned within the interview.
However he added that the broader conflict goals would “nonetheless be legitimate” after any short-term ceasefire.
No less than 24,762 individuals have been killed in Israel’s air, floor and sea offensive in Gaza. The revised loss of life toll in Israel from the October 7 Hamas assaults stands at 1,139.
Inner rifts
Eisenkot’s feedback have been the newest signal of disagreement amongst Israel’s political and army leaders over the path of the offensive in Gaza, now in its fourth month.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant have mentioned the combating will proceed till Hamas is crushed and argued that solely army motion can win the captives’ launch.
Hamas seeks an finish to the conflict earlier than discussing releases and has demanded 1000’s of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel be launched in trade for these held captive in Gaza.
Eisenkot is one among 4 members of the conflict cupboard together with Netanyahu, Gallant and former Defence Minister Benny Gantz.
In his interview, he additionally mentioned he had satisfied officers within the group to carry off on any assault on Hezbollah in Lebanon within the days after the Hamas assaults, confirming {that a} preemptive strike was known as off on the final minute through the early days of the conflict.
He described himself as being amongst these arguing in opposition to such a strike in an October 11 cupboard assembly that left him hoarse from shouting. “I feel our presence there prevented Israel from making a grave strategic mistake,” he mentioned.
Each Israel and Hezbollah have signalled they need to keep away from conflict, however each mentioned they’re able to struggle if crucial.
Eizenkot additionally dismissed solutions that the army has delivered a decisive blow in opposition to Hamas.
Gallant mentioned Israeli forces have disabled the Hamas command construction in northern Gaza, from the place important numbers of troopers have been withdrawn this week, and that Israel’s focus is now on the southern half of the territory.
However Hamas has continued to struggle again throughout Gaza, even in essentially the most devastated areas, and launched rockets into Israel.
“We haven’t but reached a strategic achievement, or quite solely partially,” Eisenkot mentioned. “We didn’t convey down Hamas.”
