‘We’re on the brink of disaster’: Former cmdr. slams Gaza war, humanitarian strategy

“Militarily, Hamas is barely functioning, but on the civilian level, they still control everything. The IDF should have taken control and used that to install alternative leadership.”

Major General (res.) Yiftah Ron-Tal, former commander of the IDF ground forces, warned on Thursday that Israel is nearing catastrophe as it remains entrenched in the Gaza Strip after nearly two years of war, while criticizing the government for failing to provide a clear strategy as the humanitarian crisis spirals out of control.

“We are on the brink of disaster. It’s our fate,” Maj.-Gen. (res.) Ron-Tal told Ron Kupman and Aryeh Eldad during an interview on 103FM. “We lost control over the humanitarian issue. There is plenty of food in the Gaza Strip, but almost all of it goes to Hamas.”

He emphasized that Israel’s inability to manage the civilian situation is undermining its military gains.

“You cannot wage war in a territory you occupy without establishing an entity to handle humanitarian and civilian affairs. That failure is now hurting us,” he said. “Militarily, Hamas is barely functioning, but on the civilian level, they still control everything. The IDF should have taken control and used that to install alternative leadership.”

War goals remain unclear

Ron-Tal called on the government to clearly define its objectives and to avoid indecision.

“The war cannot last forever,” he said. “I have strong criticism of the government. It must decide where we are heading, especially given that a partial deal may no longer be possible.”

When asked by Eldad about the military’s withdrawal of forces from parts of Gaza, Ron-Tal acknowledged growing amounts of operational exhaustion.

“Our reserve forces are very worn out,” he explained. “The army is static. It completed its goals in Operation Gideon’s Chariots and is now awaiting political decisions. Hamas must not remain in Gaza once the war ends. It is neither a partner nor a neighbor, and it has no place near us.”

Ron-Tal urges territorial control

Asserting that Israel must maintain its military hold, Ron-Tal urged for formal control and a new defense line within the Strip.

“We’re on the front lines and hold much of the Gaza Strip,” he said. “We must establish a defensive line and annex the area operationally and administratively. It can be held with relatively few forces unless we choose to act like we do in southern Lebanon – striking whenever infrastructure poses a threat. What’s the alternative? Retreat?”

Political pressure from within

Addressing growing international pressure, Ron-Tal dismissed the threat of diplomatic backlash.

“Is our political situation terrible?” he asked. “Those who would support Palestinian statehood at the UN have already done so. The real problem is internal. The ones fueling the tension are right here.”

Rejects military rule out of fear of occupation

Ron-Tal concluded by criticizing the reluctance to impose martial law in the Strip.

“Opposition to military rule stems from an unwillingness to be seen as occupiers or rulers of Gaza,” he said. “But we forget: it’s not an army that has a country; it’s a country that has an army. This idea of distribution came from the Americans – look what that’s led to.”