TEHRAN- Growing rifts within the Israeli establishment have turned the spotlight on the regime’s frustrations, strategic miscalculations and military failures amid its brutal war in the Gaza Strip.

 More than 10 months have passed since Israel declared war on the Palestinian territory but it has not been able to achieve its main goals which include the elimination of Hamas.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has time and again vowed to continue the onslaught until achieving “total victory” over Hamas. 

But Netanyahu, known as Bibi, has not only failed to deliver on his promise but his army continues to suffer setbacks at the hands of resistance fighters on the battlefield in Gaza.
 

Bibi, Gallant lock horns 

Such divisions have once again come to light amid a war of words between Netanyahu and his war minister Yoav Gallant. 

Speaking during a closed-door hearing before a Knesset committee on Monday, Gallant dismissed Netanyahu’s “total victory” slogan as “nonsense” and “gibberish”.  

Gallant also said Netanyahu’s “total victory” goal amounts to a “beating of war drums” not backed up by actions.

According to the Jerusalem Post, the war minister also said that Israel is “at a crossroads” between a deal to return the captives, a ceasefire in Gaza, and lowering the flames on the northern front, versus continuing to pound Hamas but without receiving the captives and then full-out war against Hezbollah and possibly Iran. Gallant added that he supports the first option. 

Gallant’s comments that were leaked to media not only disparage Netanyahu’s elusive goal of eliminating Hamas but also indicate his criticism of far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir. Both ministers have called for all-out war, including an invasion of Lebanon. 

Israeli military officials are growing more frustrated with PM Netanyahu amid the regime’s military failures on the Gaza battlefield Some Likud lawmakers expressed shock at Gallant's statements and called on Netanyahu to give him the ax. 

The Israeli premier did not hesitate to strike back. 

 “When Gallant adopts the anti-Israel narrative, he damages the chances to reach a deal to release the hostages,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement. 

“Israel has only one option: to achieve total victory, which means wiping out Hamas’s military and governing capabilities and releasing our hostages – and this victory will be achieved. This is the clear directive of Prime Minister

Netanyahu and the cabinet, and it is binding for everyone – including Gallant,” the statement added. 

Gallant is the latest senior official who has admitted the regime’s military failures in the Gaza Strip. 

Israeli victory remains elusive  

On Sunday, around 100 Israeli officers warned that the regime’s army is “still far from victory”. 

“In the past few days, we have been astonished by repeated statements from senior army officials that victory is within reach and it is possible to move to the stage of pinpoint raids,” the officers said in a letter to military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.

They added, “We, who came from the field, know very well that the situation is still far from victory.”

The officers acknowledged that the Palestinian resistance factions still have cross-border capabilities such as UAVs, explosive drones and mortars as they took a jab at Netanyahu’s warmongering. 

“This is not what victory looks like!” the letter read. 

Hamas cannot be destroyed 

Divisions between Netanyahu and his army also hit the headlines nearly two months ago. 

On June 19, the Israeli military spokesman cast doubt about whether  Netanyahu’s war aim of defeating Hamas can be achieved. 

“The idea that it is possible to destroy Hamas, to make Hamas vanish — that is throwing sand in the eyes of the public,” Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told Israel’s Channel 13. He added, “Hamas is an idea, deeply rooted in the hearts of the residents of Gaza. To replace those who handle civil services and distribute or steal food, something else needs to be established. This is a decision for the political echelon, and the army will implement it.”

Israeli warmongering 

More than 1,100 people were killed and about 250 others taken captive when Hamas carried out the Al-Aqsa Storm Operation, a surprise attack in southern Israel on October 7, which was followed by the regime’s genocidal war on the besieged territory that has so far claimed the lives of nearly 40,000 Palestinians. 

Hamas said the operation was a normal response to all Israeli conspiracies against the Palestinian people. 

Over 100 Israeli and foreign captives were released following a swap deal between Israel and Hamas in November last year. 

Over the past months, Israelis have been staging protests calling for a ceasefire, the return of the remaining captives, Netanyahu’s resignation and early elections. 

Bibi has suggested that he would only be open to a temporary pause in the war for several weeks. But Hamas has stressed that any ceasefire deal should include an end to the genocidal war on Gaza and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. 

For now, comments made by Gallant, Hagari and Israeli officers clearly show that the army is growing more frustrated with Netanyahu’s war strategy and miscalculations.  

Netanyahu is well aware that his army cannot eliminate Hamas. Nonetheless, he spares no effort to prolong the war. This is because in the absence of any military achievements during the 10 months, which has so far claimed the lives of hundreds of Israeli forces,

Netanyahu is seeking to create the impression that he has made gains.

But widening rifts between Netanyahu and the army indicate that such attempts have fallen flat.