Netanyahu accuses defense minister of ‘anti-Israel narrative,’ exposing rift over war in Gaza

Netanyahu lambasted Gallant on Monday, accusing him of adopting an “anti-Israel narrative,” revealing a rupture at the top of the government as the Middle East risks spiraling into a full-scale regional conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lambasted his Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday and accused him of adopting an “anti-Israel narrative,” revealing a deep rupture at the top of the Israeli government as the Middle East risks spiraling into a full-scale regional conflict. Israeli media reported this week that Gallant, speaking to lawmakers in a private security briefing, had dismissed Netanyahu’s war aim of achieving “absolute victory” over Hamas as “gibberish,” branding those who say this is achievable as “heroes with war drums.” Netanyahu’s office shot back, saying Gallant’s comments jeopardize talks to release the hostages held in Gaza. “When Gallant adopts the anti-Israel narrative, he harms the chances of reaching a hostage deal,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement. It said Gallant was obligated to pursue the twin goals of Israel’s war in Gaza: Eliminating Hamas and the release of the hostages seized by Hamas in the October 7 attacks. The barbed exchange is the latest in a series of spats between the two men during more than 10 months of war, and comes as Israel has been bracing for a possible attack by Iran and its proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon. That has prompted the United States to bolster Israel’s defenses, sending a guided missile submarine to the region over the weekend. Iran and Hezbollah have vowed to avenge the killings last month of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who died in an explosion in Tehran, and of Hezbollah’s top military commander Fu’ad Shukr, who was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike in a Beirut suburb.