Opposition leader slams Netanyahu’s Gaza strategy, calls war “strategic failure”

Opposition leader MK Yair Lapid sharply condemned the Israeli government’s management of the ongoing war in Gaza, calling it a “strategic failure” that has spiralled into operational and diplomatic setbacks.

Speaking at a press conference on July 28 evening, Lapid cited undisclosed “intelligence and operational information” indicating that the government has failed in its objectives, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

Lapid criticised the current approach, saying the government “no longer knows how to justify why soldiers continue to die in Gaza.” He warned that if the war does not end soon, hostages will not be released, Israeli forces will continue to suffer casualties, the humanitarian crisis will worsen, and Israel’s global standing will deteriorate.

The opposition leader outlined an alternative strategy centred around a comprehensive hostage deal. His proposal calls for Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza while maintaining a security perimeter, dismantling Hamas from outside the Strip, and placing Gaza under the administration of a coalition of moderate Arab states led by Egypt. According to Lapid, this approach could bring an end to the conflict and secure the hostages’ release.

Lapid accused the government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of refusing to discuss how the war should end. He described the military campaign as “out of control,” citing repeated attempts to conquer areas like Khan Yunis and Jabaliya only to have Hamas regain control after Israeli withdrawals.

“The strategy for freeing the hostages has failed,” Lapid said. “Military pressure hasn’t brought them back. Blocking food and medicine from Gaza won’t bring them back. Endless negotiation over partial deals won’t bring them back. What will bring them home is ending the war.”

On the humanitarian front, Lapid said the management of aid in Gaza has “collapsed” and called on Israel to ensure there is no hunger in the territory. He stressed that providing aid aligns with Jewish values and counters Hamas’s propaganda.

Lapid singled out Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, accusing them of wanting “military rule and eternal war” without a clear plan for peace, adding that current policies are “a disaster.”

“The war must end,” Lapid concluded. “In exchange for a complete ceasefire, there will be a comprehensive hostage deal — for all hostages, down to the very last. Israel will benefit twice: we bring our people home, and we end a war that’s no longer going anywhere.”

By Vugar Khalilov