‘Too complex and not lethal enough’: Gallant reveals original Iran attack plan

The original plan, which would have cost billions of shekels and demanded a vast amount of intelligence collected to succeed, was continuously delayed and would not have have been ready in time.

The Mossad’s original plan of attack against Iran was scrapped prior to October 7, Former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant revealed in an interview with Meet the Press on Saturday, according to N12.

Gallant claimed that the plan was “too complex and not lethal enough,” in the interview, and that he had called for a shift to aerial strikes on the regime in an alternative “100 day paper” he’d presented in March 2023.

The original plan, which would have cost billions of shekels and demanded a vast amount of intelligence collected to succeed, was continuously delayed and would not have have been ready in time for Israel to act, he said.

“Anyone going to war with Iran must assume Hezbollah will be drawn in,” he continued, criticizing Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and MK Benny Gantz’s inaction in ordering the production of further military equipement during their terms. “200,000 shells were taken from us for Ukraine. Did they order a single new shell to be produced? The answer is no.”

Gallant praised the IDF for its work in Operation Rising Lion. When asked about the Mossad’s contribution, he noted that though the Mossad did assist in minimal areas, the majority of the operation was carried out by the Air Force according to information collected by the military.

Iran’s nuclear program has been delayed “by years,” he said, but warned that the regime can and will rebuild, and that Israel must be prepared for when war on the Iranian front resumes.

On the hostages and war in Gaza

In the interview, Gallant also noted that five objectives were laid out at the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Three of these objectives: eliminating Hamas’ organizational capablities, decimating its leadership, and gaining full operational freedom for the IDF within the Gaza Strip, have been achievied by the military.

“To achieve the two remaining goals, returning the hostages and replacing Hamas’ rule with an adequate alternative, requires a political arrangement,” Gallant said to Meet the Press, going on to claim that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich hold “veto power” in the government.

He urged them, and the government at large, to agree to the framework of a ceasefire-hostage deal presented by US Envoy Steve Witkoff.

“We do not leave anyone behind: Not wounded soldiers and definitely not civilians,” Gallant said. “I believe that we must bring all the hostages home and if we can bring home ten hostages, half of those who are still alive, and the remains of the deceased hostages in the first stage of the deal, then we must take it.”