Hamas's eradication is incapable, asserted an Israeli military authority, while the divide with Netanyahu deepens.
Title: IDF Spokesperson Questions Ability to Completely Eliminate Hamas, Tension with Netanyahu's Office Emerges
Text:
IDF Spokesman Read Adm. Daniel Hagari caused a stir when he said, during an interview with Israel’s Channel 13 on Wednesday, that attempting to eradicate Hamas is like throwing sand in people's eyes. His comments prompted a stern response from Netanyahu’s office, which stated that the destruction of Hamas' military and administrative capabilities is one of the war objectives in Gaza, as decreed by the security cabinet.
The IDF later clarified Hagari's comments, stating that he was only referring to Hamas as an ideology and concept. However, cracks seem to be widening between the Israeli government and its military, with Netanyahu under pressure from his government members and allies to develop a strategy for post-war governance in Gaza following the extensive bombing of the enclave.
The Israeli military launched its war in Gaza in response to Hamas' October 7 attacks, which resulted in more than 1,200 casualties and the abduction of around 250 people. The primary objectives of the war were to retrieve the hostages, disable Hamas' ability to govern, and prevent future attacks from Palestinian territory.
Eight months into the war, with the possibility of more to come, Hagari's comments echo recent concerns that the Israeli military campaign may fail to achieve those objectives and that Hamas could remain a powerful ideological force, despite Netanyahu's claims of killing over 14,000 Hamas fighters (a figure CNN cannot independently verify).
In a separate interview with CNN affiliate Kan 11, Hagari expressed skepticism about the possibility of eradicating terror in Gaza, stating that there would always be terror, and that Hamas is deeply entrenched in the hearts of Gaza's residents. Hagari added that something else would need to be established to replace the civil services and food distribution system currently run by Hamas, a decision to be made by the political echelon.
Israeli Government Spokesperson David Mencer clarified that eliminating Hamas' military and administrative capabilities does not necessarily mean killing every member of the group. Mencer also stated that Hagari's comments had not harmed the war effort, but emphasized the military's responsibility to carry out the will of the elected government.
Netanyahu appeared to have softened his initial war aims during discussions about the US-backed ceasefire plan. A statement from the Prime Minister’s office last week stated that Israel will not end the war before achieving its objectives: destroying Hamas' military and administrative capabilities, freeing all hostages, and ensuring Gaza poses no threat to Israel in the future. The statement omitted Netanyahu's earlier promise of total victory and the elimination of Hamas in its entirety.
Hagari's comments sparked the latest in a series of public disagreements between Israel's government and military. Last weekend, the IDF announced a daily "tactical pause" in military activity along a route in southern Gaza to allow aid to be distributed, a decision that reportedly frustrated Netanyahu. The IDF later clarified that the decision for the "tactical pause" was approved by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The "tactical pause" decision drew criticism from the far-right wing of Netanyahu's coalition, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir branding those responsible as "evil and a fool who should not continue to be in their position."
While Israel has made some progress in returning the abducted individuals, hope for their safe return may be dwindling. A senior Hamas official told CNN they are unsure if any of the remaining 120 hostages in Gaza are still alive, and any deal for their release must include assurances of a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
CNN's Caitlin Danaher, Eugenia Yosef, and Benjamin Brown contributed reporting.
Read also:
The Middle East and global communities are closely watching the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, with the potential implications for regional stability being a significant concern.
With the divide between the Israeli government and military deepening due to disagreements over the eradication of Hamas, international diplomatic efforts could play a critical role in finding a resolution to the conflict in the Middle East, which could have wider repercussions on the world stage.
