Contradicting PM, Eisenkot says those talking about ‘absolute defeat’ of Hamas aren’t telling truth

National Unity MK Gadi Eisenkot speaks during a conference at Ben-Gurion House in Tel Aviv on July 25, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90, File)
National Unity MK Gadi Eisenkot speaks during a conference at Ben-Gurion House in Tel Aviv on July 25, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90, File)

War cabinet minister Gadi Eisenkot appears to criticize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pledge to completely defeat Hamas, suggesting that such rhetoric is unrealistic.

“Whoever speaks of absolute defeat is not speaking the truth,” Eisenkot tells Channel 12’s Uvda investigative program hours after Netanyahu pledged to continue the war until “complete victory” over Hamas.

Asked whether Israel’s current leadership is telling the public the truth, Eisenkot responds, “No.”

Eisenkot also appeared to criticize Netanyahu’s refusal to hold high-level discussions regarding post-war planning in Gaza.

“The goals of the war have not yet been achieved, but the [number of soldiers on the ground] is now more limited… You have to think about what’s next,” he says.

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