Opposition leader and Yesh Atid chairman MK Yair Lapid on Friday slammed the security cabinet’s decision to approve Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to take over Gaza City, calling it “a disaster.”
“The decision made by the [Security] Cabinet is a disaster that will lead to many more disasters,” he said.
“In complete contrast to the military and security echelons, without considering the toll on fighting forces, [National Security Minister Itamar] Ben-Gvir and [Finance Minister Bezalel] Smotrich dragged Netanyahu into a move that will take many months, lead to the deaths of hostages and soldiers, cost tens of billions for the Israeli taxpayer, and result in a diplomatic collapse.”
Referring to Hamas and Israel’s plan, Lapid said, “This is exactly what Hamas wanted: for Israel to be trapped in the territory without a goal, without defining the picture of the day after, in a pointless occupation that no one understands where it is leading.”
Democrats Party chair MK Yair Golan echoed Lapid’s statement, calling the security cabinet’s decision “a disaster for generations.”
Golan said that the decision was contrary to IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir’s opinion and “is a death sentence for the hostages and more bereaved families.
“Our children and grandchildren will still be patrolling the alleys of Gaza, we will pay hundreds of billions over the years, all for the sake of political survival and messianic visions,” he said.
Golan calls for escalation, Gantz emphasizes Gaza's 'day after' plan
“We must escalate the struggle. Toppling this government will save lives,” Golan said.
Blue and White chairman MK Benny Gantz wrote on X/Twitter that he “once again” sees “the diplomatic failure that is wasting the tremendous achievements of the IDF.”
The former chief of staff said that many of the stages “can be done differently,” emphasizing a deal to bring the remaining hostages home, but also seeking Gaza’s “day after” plan without Hamas.
“The problem with this government is that it is slow, indecisive, doesn’t seize opportunities when they arise, and lacks creativity,” Gantz wrote.
“We already entered Gaza with divisions despite Netanyahu’s fears. We already entered Khan Yunis and Rafah despite Netanyahu delaying it. We will know how to do this in the future as well,” he said.
“We’ve been talking about the day after – and Netanyahu hasn’t acted. Israel deserves leadership that seizes opportunities, not leadership that plays bunker games and doesn’t strive for the return of the hostages and the complete defeat of Hamas.”
Yisrael Beytenu chairman MK Avigdor Liberman said that the security cabinet’s decision conflicts with the professional opinion of the IDF chief of staff, “who warned of the many dangers such a move would bring, [and] proves that life-and-death decisions are being made contrary to security considerations and the objectives of the war.
“The prime minister of October 7 is once again sacrificing the security of Israeli citizens for his seat,” he said in the post.
Liberman later added on X that the cabinet’s decision was not intended to return the hostages or defeat Hamas, but was rather designed to preserve the coalition.
“In the next government,” he added, “the security of Israeli citizens will always come first.”