Ex-Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant met hostage families hours after dismissal. Yoav Gallant ripped into PM Netanyahu's policies extending Gaza war. Gallant blamed Netanyahu for 'lack of desire to get hostages back'.
Netanyahu is the only person who can make hostage deal: Gallant said. 'Conditions were ripe for a deal in July, but Netanyahu didn't agree'. Gallant confirmed conflict with Netanyahu since ceasefire deal failed in July.
"Netanyahu tried and failed to influence me The head of the Shin Bet, the chief of staff, and I think the head of the Mossad, also agreed with me,” Yoav Gallant, Former Israeli Defence Minister said. Gallant told families, the IDF has no reason to stay in Gaza and that war goals were achieved.
Gallant: Netanyahu keeping Israeli soldiers in Gaza out of a desire to stay there. Gallant: IDF chief also cynical of PM's diplomatic justifications for keeping troops in Gaza.
“I can tell you what there was not: security considerations. The IDF chief and I said there was no security reason for remaining in the Philadelphia Corridor,” Yoav Gallant, Former Israeli Defence Minister said.
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He added, “Netanyahu said that [retaining] it was a diplomatic consideration; I’m telling you there was no diplomatic consideration.”
Major victories achieved in Gaza, there is nothing left to do in the Strip: Gallant. 'Ruling Gaza will be bad for Israel, unnecessary risk to soldiers' lives'.
'Israel has to establish a governing body in Gaza that is neither Hamas nor Israel'.
Gallant posted a farewell message on Nov 7, praising US for its support in war. Biden administration has been insistent on working with Gallant.
After Gallant's removal US feared wide purge in security leadership: report. Israeli media reported Netanyahu plans to fire IDF chief, Shin Bet chief. But, Netanyahu assured he was not planning a wider purge in Israel.
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