‘Absolute victory over Hamas?’ Netanyahu and DM Gallant again spar publicly over war aims

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly slammed his Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday, after he reportedly dubbed the notion of “absolute victory” in the war against Hamas, which Netanyahu has championed repeatedly, “absolute gibberish.”

The comments came during a session of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Security Committee on Monday, as Gallant answered questions from the committee members, Israeli media reported.

The session was intended to be closed to the public, and its contents were meant to remain confidential.

The defense minister reportedly also reiterated his support for a hostage deal, even at the price of withdrawing all Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and claimed that Israel’s reticence to do so was a factor in delaying an agreement.

Gallant also advocated for a hostage deal that would be carried out in stages, meaning not all the hostages would be released at once.

The Prime Minister’s Office published a statement in response, attacking Gallant for choosing to adopt “the anti-Israel narrative,” which it said harmed the chances for a hostage deal.

“He should have attacked Sinwar, who is refusing to send a delegation to the negotiations, who has been – and remains – the only obstacle to a hostage deal.”

“Israel has only one choice: To achieve total victory, which means eliminating Hamas's military and governing capabilities, and releasing our hostages. This victory will be achieved. This is the clear directive of Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Security Cabinet, and it obligates everyone – including Gallant,” the statement read.

The latest public spat between Netanyahu and Gallant followed weeks of speculation and rumors that the prime minister was about to fire Gallant and replace him with Knesset Member Gideon Sa’ar. In recent days, these rumors seemingly abated.

The relationship between Netanyahu and Gallant is seen as borderline hostile. In the throes of last year’s judicial reform debate, Netanyahu considered firing Gallant over his lack of support for the plans, but reinstated him under significant public pressure.

Gallant later responded in a short statement published on 𝕏, emphasizing that he told the committee he was determined to reach the war goals of dismantling Hamas and returning the hostages.

“One of the weak points that were discovered in the war which we must act against with all severity, are incessant leaks from sensitive and confidential forums. This sick evil did not omit the discussion that took place today in the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee,” Gallant wrote.

Throughout Monday, the defense minister came under fire for his reported comments from several sides.

In addition to various Likud party Members of Knesset who slammed his comments, the Tikva Forum, a group of hostage families – who tend to lean more to the political right, and have received less media attention than the larger and better-funded Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum – also criticized him.

“A defense minister who does not aspire to complete victory is a defense minister who abandons most of the hostages, who will never see the light of day. With his own hands, he underwrites the decision to leave dozens of Ron Arads in the Gaza Strip,” the group wrote, referencing an Israeli Air Force officer who has been missing in action in Lebanon since 1986.

“The Defense Minister himself asked the public for patience for a long war since the first day of fighting, and then spoke of a complete victory as an achievement in the war.”

“A deal in several stages, which the minister proposes to take, is a deal of abandonment that leaves our loved ones in Gaza. A defense minister who proposes to withdraw from the Philadelphi Route for ‘a month and a half’ is a minister who did not consider the events of Oct. 7,” the statement read.