Outgoing Israeli army chief criticises ‘galloping’ into war
Outgoing Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi appeared to offer veiled criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying rushing into combat without goals doesn’t work.
“The way to bring about achievements, especially in a war, is not to gallop like unbridled horses, rushing forward without discernment and without a precise goal,” Halevi said in remarks carried out by Israeli media.
“Anyone who thinks the sole purpose of a combat commander is to gallop forward will have to bear the consequences and be responsible for the consequences.”
In the past, the army’s chief reportedly criticised Netanyahu for lacking a strategy for post-war Gaza. He was also the most senior Israeli official to resign over the security breakdown that paved the way to the Hamas-led October 7 attack.
‘Why didn’t you save them?’
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu faced new criticism over the war on Gaza while speaking at a military graduation.
As he held up a picture of captives Shiri Bibas and her young boys, Ariel and Kfir, whose remains were returned from Gaza last week, to demonstrate “what we are fighting against”, audience members called out, “Shame!” and “Why didn’t you save them?”
The prime minister didn’t react.
Funeral procession to be held for Israeli captive family
Israeli captive Shiri Bibas and her two sons Ariel and Kfir will be laid to rest on Wednesday, said their family, urging the public to line the procession route.
A family statement said the funeral would “only be for members of the family and close friends”, but it wanted to let “whoever wishes to pay their respects and be a part of this moment to do so”.
“The route of the funeral procession will be published in order to enable anyone who wishes to do so to accompany our loved ones on their final journey,” it said.
The family expressed gratitude for the support it has received from the public. “The warm embrace, the love and the strength that you have sent us from all over Israel and the world strengthen us and accompany us during these moments of crisis,” it said.
Portraits of Israeli captives Shiri Bibas, centre, and her two children Ariel, left, and Kfir, right
