Could the Israeli army be turning against the government of Benjamin Netanyahu? Latest report led by the New York Times shows Israeli military generals want a truce in Gaza. The 30 generals are the most senior of the generals and are part of the “General Staff Forum” and include Chief of Staff “Herzi Halevi and commanders of the army, air force, navy and military intelligence.” They have shocked the government and said, Tuesday, they would want a ceasefire even if it keeps Hamas in power.
They argue its’ for the best because they can then start consolidating for the next war with Hezbollah on the Israel-Lebanese border. Many fear that the simmering clashes between Hezbollah fighters and the Israeli army could flare up into a full-scale regional war which nobody wants, but they are ready for nevertheless.
The top generals’ story is going viral on the social media who are quoting bits of the story of the NYT with one pointing out the “Israel’s military leadership wants a ceasefire with Hamas in case a bigger war breaks out in Lebanon, security officials say. It has also concluded that a truce would be the swiftest way to free hostages.”
Eyal Hulata, an ex-national security advisor, and is in regular contact with army officials says the “military is in full support of a hostage deal and a ceasefire. They believe that they can always go back and engage Hamas militarily in the future.”
Besides that, call emanates from the fact that many believe the Israeli army has problems in hardware and procurement. They are reporting low on munitions supplies, less spare-parts and low energy. This is plus the fact that Israeli soldiers are fatigued and the low morale among its ranks after daily fighting in a war that never seems to end in Gaza.
The New York Times report is being taken by many websites like RT which states that six current and security officials who sought anonymity said the generals want time to rest their troops and stockpile ammunition ready for possible war breaking out with Hezbollah. Plus, they don’t believe what Netanyahu says that only total victory over Hamas would bring the 120 captive hostages back to their homes.
Dr Andreas Kreig, professor of politics at Kings College London, says the move by the Israeli generals is creating an “unprecedented levels of dissent in Israel’s military from the government.”
The move by the Israeli generals is widening the rift between the military and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who opposes any truce and wants continuation of the war on Gaza that will somehow see the end of Hamas and its military wing despite the soaring deaths, wounds, permanent injuries and psychological problem among Israeli soldiers that require psychiatric treatment. —
Dr Marwan Asmar is a journalist from Amman, Jordan
