TV report: PM asks IDF chief why he didn’t propose going into south Gaza at start of war

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu complained to IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi at last night’s cabinet meeting that he didn’t suggest sending troops into the south as well as the north of Gaza at the start of the war after October 7, Channel 12 news reports.
The report features quotes from the meeting that show Netanyahu and other ministers sparring with Halevi, as they have done often in the past, over the progress of the war. Last night’s criticism reportedly revolved around the IDF’s withdrawal from Khan Younis last week, and the failure thus far to tackle Hamas in its Rafah stronghold at the southern foot of the Strip.
Criticized by Justice Minister Yariv Levin over the timing of the withdrawal from Khan Younis, Halevi reportedly responded: “We completed the ground operation [there]; it’s done for the time being. We want to refresh the troops and prepare for Rafah. All the activities we’ve done to date are completely as we presented them during cabinet sessions. The IDF does not withdraw forces with the approval of the political echelon.”
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich: “Why do we need to wait? We should already be in Rafah?”
Netanyahu: “Why did you not propose at the start [of the ground operation after October 7] to go into the south as well as the north [of Gaza]?”
Halevi: “Regarding Rafah, I recommend that we not discuss the timing. Once the enemy understands when and where it’s happening, there will be a price to pay in lost lives, more explosive devices and more booby-trapped houses.”
Transportation Minister Miri Regev: “We should have been in Rafah a month ago.”
Minister Gadi Eisenkot (apparently referring to Regev): “There is a cabinet minister here who reportedly claims that me and Benny [Gantz] are preventing the Rafah operation. That’s a complete lie. Somebody else in the room is preventing it.” (He was apparently referring to Netanyahu).