The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, recently retracted a tweet in which he denied receiving prior warnings about the unexpected offensive from the Hamas group on October 7.
In his original tweet, Netanyahu stated that assessments from Israeli security and intelligence agencies suggested that Hamas was intimidated and seeking a peaceful resolution up until the war broke out.
Benny Gantz, a former general and current member of Israel’s war cabinet, urged Netanyahu to withdraw his comment.
Gantz emphasized the importance of responsible leadership during wartime, highlighting the need to make prudent decisions and bolster the military’s capabilities to meet expectations.
He further noted that any divergent actions or statements could undermine the public’s resilience and strength.
Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition, also criticized the Prime Minister, accusing him of crossing a line by attributing the government’s failure on October 7 to the security and defense services.
Lapid argued that while IDF soldiers and commanders are bravely confronting Hamas and Hezbollah, Netanyahu is unjustly placing blame on them instead of offering his support.
In the midst of these political tensions, Gaza is facing a severe shortage of supplies. Thousands of residents have resorted to raiding warehouses and distribution centers belonging to the United Nations Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA), taking flour and other essential survival items.
UNRWA has expressed concern over these incidents, interpreting them as signs of deteriorating civil order after three weeks of war and a stringent blockade imposed by Israel.
The siege, which began on October 9, includes prohibitions on the entry of food and fuel into Gaza.